Where children are born can affect their chances for a strong start in life. Babies need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to foster their healthy brain development and help them realize their full potential.
This state profile provides a snapshot of how infants, toddlers, and their families are faring in each of these three policy domains. Within each domain, view data for selected child, family, and policy indicators compared to national averages. The profile begins with a demographic description of the state’s babies and families to offer the broadest context for exploring what may be very different experiences of the state’s youngest children.
Demographics
Infants and toddlers in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia is home to 24,588 babies, representing 3.7 percent of the state’s population. As many as 24.4 percent live in households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line (in 2021, about $55,000 for a family of four1), placing them at economic disadvantage. The District’s youngest children are diverse and are raised in a variety of family contexts and household structures.
to see selected indicators by subgroup.
*Numbers are small; use caution in interpreting.
**Subset of "In Poverty"
Good Health
In DC
How are District of Columbia's babies faring in Good Health?
Supporting babies’ and mothers’ physical and mental health provides the foundation for infants’ lifelong physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Babies’ brains grow rapidly in the first years of life, and, in these early years, the brain works with other organs and organ systems to set the stage for subsequent development and health outcomes. Equitable access to good nutrition during the prenatal period and first years of life is key to ensure that babies receive the nourishment and care they need for a strong start in life. Strengthening equitable access to integrated, affordable maternal, pediatric, and family health care is also essential to meeting babies’ and families’ health and developmental needs.
The District of Columbia falls in the Improving Outcomes (O) tier for the Good Health domain. A state’s ranking is based on indicators of maternal and child health, including health care coverage, prenatal care, birth outcomes, and receipt of recommended preventive care as well as nutrition and mental health. The District of Columbia performs better than national averages on key indicators, such as the percentage of uninsured babies in families with low incomes and Medicaid income eligibility level for pregnant women. The District is performing worse than national averages on indicators such as the percentage of women receiving late or no prenatal care and babies born at low birthweight.
Key Indicators of Good Health
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.
Good Health Policy in DC
All Good Health Indicators for DC
Strong Families
In DC
How are The District of Columbia's babies faring in Strong Families?
Young children develop in the context of their families, where stability, safety, and supportive relationships nurture their growth. All families may benefit from parenting supports, but families with low income and in historically marginalized communities of color face additional challenges that impact their babies’ immediate and future well-being. Many policies can be designed to address these disparities by race, ethnicity, and income, including the provision of safe and stable housing, home visiting services, family-friendly employer policies, economic support for families with low income, and tax credits that benefit families with young children.
The District of Columbia falls in the Working Efficiently (W) tier of states when it comes to indicators of Strong Families. The District’s ranking in this domain reflects indicators on which it is performing better than the national average, such as the percentage of babies living in crowded housing and babies experiencing food insecurity. The District of Columbia is doing worse than the national average on indicators such as the percentage of babies experiencing housing instability (moved 3 or more times) and babies who could benefit from home visiting receiving those services.
Key Indicators of Strong Families
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.
Strong Families Policy in DC
All Strong Families Indicators for DC
Positive Early Learning Experiences
In DC
How are the District of Columbia's babies faring in Positive Early Learning?
Infants and toddlers learn through interactions with the significant adults in their lives and active exploration of enriching environments. The quality of babies’ early learning experiences at home and in other care settings can impact their cognitive and social-emotional development as well as early literacy. High-quality early childhood care can strengthen parents’ interactions with their children in the home learning environment and support parents’ ability to go to work or attend school. Equitable access to high-quality care across factors like race, ethnicity, and income ensures all infants and toddlers have the opportunity for optimal development. However, disparities in access to high-quality care remain across many states and communities in the United States.
The District of Columbia scores in the Working Efficiently (W) tier for Positive Early Learning Experiences. The District’s ranking in this domain reflects indicators on which it is performing better than the national average, such as the percentage of babies in families below 100 percent of the federal poverty line with access to Early Head Start. The District of Columbia is doing worse than the national average on indicators such as the percentage of infants/toddlers who received a developmental screening in the past year. Beginning with the 2022 profile, infant care costs as a percentage of the district’s median income for single and married parents are not factored into the ranking.
Key Indicators of Positive Early Learning Experiences
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.