ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A New Jersey nonprofit has issued its latest “Kids Count” report, which contains a wealth of data about children across the state – and the challenges that their families are facing.
Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) released its 2026 report earlier this week. The study includes county-by-county statistics in categories such as economic security, health, child protection, early learning and education.
One of the highlights of this year’s study involves NJ FamilyCare, the state’s Medicaid program.
According to ACNJ, as participation figures return to pre-pandemic levels, enrollment in NJ FamilyCare fell by more than 100,000 children between 2023 and 2025.
Although New Jersey maintains an overall child uninsured rate of four percent, rates in Union (8%) and Essex (7%) counties are nearly double the state average, with Passaic (6%), Hudson (5%), and Mercer (5%) also on the rise.
“When New Jersey resumed annual Medicaid eligibility renewals in April 2023, many families on NJ FamilyCare were disenrolled,” explained Mary Coogan, the ACNJ president.
“Some returned to work and thus no longer met the income requirements, others may have been the result of administrative hurdles like incomplete paperwork or outdated contact information,” Coogan said.
“The rising uninsured rates we see in pockets throughout the state tell us that children are falling through the cracks – and that is unacceptable,” Coogan added.
Coogan pointed out that state lawmakers continue to hammer out the latest budget – and said their decisions will have a direct and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of New Jersey’s children.
“Behind every statistic is a child whose trajectory may be shaped by access to health care, quality schools and a stable home,” Coogan said.
Other data highlighted in the latest Kids Count report included:
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT – “Academic performance is trending upward, but roughly half of all 3rd graders are not meeting proficiency in reading or math. The percentage of 3rd graders meeting or exceeding expectations on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) rose to 45% in English Language Arts (ELA) and 50% in math in 2024-25, up from 44% and 48% the prior year. Significant county-level disparities persist, however: in ELA, proficiency among 3rd graders ranges from a high of 60% in Bergen County to just 20% in Cumberland. Among 8th graders, ELA proficiency climbed to 57% from 53%, and math proficiency to 21% from 19%. That means that only one in five 8th graders is meeting or exceeding proficiency in math.”
FAMILY INCOME – “The median family income with children in New Jersey rose to $130,331 in 2020–24, a 25% increase over the prior five-year period — reflecting growth across all 21 counties. But the range is striking: median income for families with children spans from $69,962 in Cumberland County to $195,471 in Somerset County, a gap of more than $125,000. Roughly 13% of New Jersey children — approximately 261,439 — live below the federal poverty level, which was $31,812 for a family of four in 2024. Food insecurity remains a significant concern, with an estimated 271,650 children food insecure statewide in 2023.”
RACIAL INEQUITIES FOR BABIES AND MOMS – “Although 85% of White women received early prenatal care in 2023, that number drops to just 62% and 63% for Black and Hispanic women, respectively. The statewide average was 75%, no change from the previous year. Black infants are born preterm at a rate of 12.9%, significantly higher than the state average of 9.3%. Similarly, 12.9% of Black babies are born with low birthweights, compared to 6.0% of White babies. At the state level, the percentage is 7.8%. Black infants die before their first birthday at a rate of 8.1 per 1,000 live births —more than double the state rate of 3.5.”
PRESCHOOL EXPANSION – “A total of 66,419 three- and four-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded preschool for the 2024-25 school year, a 14% increase since 2022-23. The expansion was driven in part by [former Gov. Phil Murphy’s] efforts to bring universal pre-K to more school districts.”
SCHOOL MEALS – “During the 2025-26 school year, of the 428,936 students who received school lunch, 58% also received school breakfast. A closer look reveals participation levels vary from 31% (Hunterdon) to 72% (Essex) in receiving a morning meal.”
DEMOGRAPHICS – “More than 2 million (2,044,983) children under age 18 live in New Jersey; one in four is under age 5. The child population is diverse: 42% White, 31% Hispanic, 13% Black, and 10% Asian.”
Advocates for Children of New Jersey will host a free webinar at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 to discuss the 2026 Kids Count report. Register online here.
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Newark, NJ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.