Here’s Why Kentucky is Among the Worst States for Underprivileged Children

In an ideal world, every child would grow up without worry. With enough to eat, a good education, proper health care, and a safe place to call home. They’d feel secure, loved, and supported by the adults around them. When those basic needs are met, children have a stronger foundation for a happy and stable future. But reality paints a different picture. Even in one of the wealthiest nations on earth, too many children still face poverty, instability, and limited opportunities. In Kentucky, those challenges are obvious, according to a new study by WalletHub.

The Growing Struggles of America’s Children

Across the United States, far too many children continue to face hardship. Roughly one in seven kids lives below the poverty line, and according to the Children’s Defense Fund, a child is abused or neglected nearly every minute. The impact of these struggles reaches far beyond childhood. One year’s worth of confirmed maltreatment cases alone carries an estimated lifetime cost of almost $592 billion.

Study Methodology

Some states are doing a better job than others at supporting their most vulnerable children. To see where kids are struggling the most, WalletHub analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 25 key indicators of child well-being. The study examined factors such as the percentage of children living in poverty, food insecurity rates, and the number of confirmed cases of abuse or neglect.

States with the Most Underprivileged Children

According to WalletHub’s 2025 study, states with the most underprivileged children are largely concentrated in the South and Southwest. New Mexico tops the list, followed by Alaska, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. All states with the most poverty have limited access to healthcare and educational challenges that create serious barriers for young people. West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Arkansas, and Nevada also rank among the ten hardest places for children to grow up. But what about Kentucky?

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Kentucky’s Ongoing Challenges

Kentucky’s place in the top ten shows both progress and persistent challenges. While the state does a little better than some of its Southern neighbors in health and economic measures, too many kids are still growing up without the resources they need to succeed. Poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to quality education continue to weigh on families, especially in rural areas. These struggles don’t just shape childhood. They can follow kids into adulthood. Kentucky’s ranking reveals there’s still a lot of work needed to give every child a fair start in life. We can and must do better!

State-By-State Breakdown

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