CT Among States With Lowest Percentage Of At-Risk Youth: Study

You've probably heard it a million times over the years, "It's 10 o'clock... do you know where your children are?" If that quote has ever stopped you in your tracks, that's a scary thought. But if you live in Connecticut, a new study from WalletHub says that you can pretty much rest easy because your kids are likely safe and staying out of trouble.

Connecticut has the fourth lowest percentage of at-risk youth in the nation, behind New Jersey (the lowest), New Hampshire and Maryland, according to WalletHub's 2018's States with the Most At-Risk Youth. Minnesota came in fifth-lowest.

"Without a stable home, positive role models and tools for success, many young Americans fall behind their peers and experience a rocky transition to adulthood," writes author Adam McCann. "Today, about one in nine individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither working nor attending school. Others suffer from poor health conditions that hinder their ability to develop physically or socially."

Among the areas where Connecticut excels includes it having one of the lowest percentages of overweight and obese youth, and one of the lowest rates of youth poverty.

To come up with its ranking of "where young Americans are most at risk of adverse outcomes in adulthood, WalletHub compared a sample comprising the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 14 key metrics." Among the issues studied include the share of disconnected youth (those without 18-24 year olds out of school, without a job and without a college diploma); share of youth using illicit drugs; share with depression; and share of homeless youth, among others. Click here to read the full methodology.

The states with the most at-risk youth are:

1. District of Columbia
2. Louisiana
3. Mississippi
4. Nevada
5. West Virginia

To read WalletHub's full study, 2018's States with the Most At-Risk Youth, click here.

Image via Shutterstock

(Keep up with CT events and news by subscribing to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)