National Foster Care Trends
Five-year overview from FY2018 to FY2022. According to the federal AFCARS report, 379,475 children are currently in foster care across the 51 states, with per-capita entry rates ranging from 2.1 per 1,000 children in Utah to 16.2 in West Virginia. Source: ACF AFCARS annual reports.
National Outcomes Over Time
| Fiscal Year | Children in Care | Reunification Rate | Adoption Rate | Aging Out Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 437,465 | 49.7% | 25.5% | 8.6% |
| FY2019 | 424,066 | 49.5% | 26.0% | 8.7% |
| FY2020 | 406,595 | 49.9% | 26.2% | 7.8% |
| FY2021 | 391,098 | 50.3% | 26.1% | 8.0% |
| FY2022 Latest | 379,475 | 50.5% | 25.6% | 7.6% |
Children in foster care, FY2018 to FY2022
How children exit care: reunification vs. adoption
Reunification with family remains the most common outcome, around half of exits; adoption is the next-largest path.
Youth aging out of foster care, by year
Each year a share of youth leave foster care by reaching adulthood without a permanent family, a group at higher risk of poor outcomes.
Children in Care Declining
The total number of children in foster care has declined from 437,465 in FY2018 to approximately 379,000 in FY2022, a 13% decrease. This reflects increased investment in family preservation programs, kinship care placements, and prevention services.
Reunification Rates Stable
National reunification rates have remained relatively stable around 49–50% over five years. The Family First Prevention Services Act (2018) has prompted some states to redirect resources toward prevention and family support, though outcomes vary significantly by state.
Adoption Rates Holding Steady
Adoption rates from foster care have remained around 25–26% nationally. Approximately 57,000–60,000 children are adopted from foster care annually, representing a stable pathway to permanency for children whose parents' rights have been terminated.
Aging Out, A Persistent Challenge
Around 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year without a permanent family connection. Research shows these young adults face significantly higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the justice system than their peers.
FY2022 Grade Distribution
State grades based on reunification rate performance
8
states (16%)
38
states (75%)
5
states (10%)
Sources: ACF AFCARS Reports #25–30 (FY2018–FY2022). acf.hhs.gov
See our methodology for how these national figures are aggregated from state-level AFCARS extracts.