The 1997 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book uses fourteen data sources to present a statistical portrait of Kentucky's children, their families, and their local communities. Kentucky Population Research (KPR) of the Urban Studies Institute, University of Louisville compiled the data and designed the profile. KPR is also the source of population data used in the report as the basis for rates and standardization of indicators. Data, displayed in graphs and tables on two pages each for the state and its 120 counties, are described in their order of appearance.
Front Page
Population by Age, 1997. Pie graph shows percent population under 18, 18-64, and 65 and over. Source: Kentucky Population Research, University of Louisville.
Population, 1990 and 1997. Numbers of total persons, children under 18, and children under 6 with percent changes are shown. These data are from the 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing (April 1, 1990) and Kentucky Population Research projections (July 1, 1997).
Persons in Poverty, 1989 and 1993. Numbers of total persons and children 5-17 who were living in poverty according to federal guidelines are presented along with percent change. Poverty status is based on household size and income. For example, the poverty threshold for a family of four was $12,674 in 1989 and $14.763 in 1993. Data for 1989 were obtained for the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Data for 1993 were produced by the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Median Household Income, 1989 and 1993. Same sources as Persons in Poverty.
Poverty Rates, 1989 and 1993. Bar graph shows poverty rates for total persons and children 5-17. Rates are the number of person in poverty expressed as a percent of all persons for whom poverty was determined (household population) in the respective age group. Data were obtained from same sources as "Persons in Poverty."
Children and Poverty Programs, 1994, 1995, and 1996. Numbers of total persons and children enrolled in four poverty programs are presented for each year along with percent change from 1994 to 1996. The eligible age of children was determined by each program. The programs are:
% County Kids in Program, 1994-96. Three-year averages of the number of children enrolled in each of the four poverty programs are shown in pie graphs as the percent of all children in the county (or state) in 1995. The population base was defined as persons under 18, except for Food Stamps for which persons under 19 were used.
Vital Statistics, 1989-91 and 1994-96. Three-year averages of nine birth and death statistics are presented along with percent change. Two additional birth statistics are shown in pie graphs as averages for the 1994-96 period only. Data were obtained from the Vital Statistics Branch, Cabinet for Human Resources. In counties with small population size, vital statistics, particularly death statistics, should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of cases.
Back Page
Local Job Market. Multiple data sources were used to portray economic conditions for local workers.
Labor Force Status, Population 16 and Older, 1996. Pie graph displays the percent of persons, 16 and older, who were employed in the civilian labor force, unemployed, and not in the civilian labor force. Population estimates from Kentucky Population Research were combined labor force data from the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, Workforce Development Cabinet.
Population, 16 and Older, 1990 and 1996. Numbers of persons, obtained from the 1990 Census (April 1, 1990) and KPR estimates (July 1. 1996), are shown with percent change.
Civilian Labor Force, 1990 and 1996. Annual average monthly estimates of persons active in the civilian labor force were produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and maintained by the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, Cabinet for Human Resources. Shown with percent change, these data are subdivided by:
Not in the Civilian Labor Force, 1990 and 1996. Presented with percent change, the numbers of persons not in the labor forces was estimated as the difference between the population, 16 and older, and civilian labor force. These estimates included retirees and military personnel.
Total Jobs, 1990 and 1995. The numbers of jobs by place of work, shown as annual monthly averages along with percent change, are subdivided into ten major industrial classifications. These estimates included part-time and full-time jobs. Blanks indicate that data were not available because disclosure may reveal proprietary information on an employer. Source: Regional Economic Information Systems (REIS), U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Average Earnings, 1995. Also from REIS-BEA and shown by major industries, annual average earnings included total wages and salaries derived from jobs located in the county (or state).
Job Listings, July 1, 1997. The numbers of job openings listed with the Kentucky Department of Employment Services were obtained from the "Statewide" Data Book produced by the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children (revised August 12, 1997).
% Households, without phone, without car, 1990. Source: 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 1990 and 1996. From the Kentucky Department for Social Services, Cabinet for Families and Children, child abuse and neglect data show the annual numbers of incidences reported and substantiated by categories of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect/dependency. Because more than one incident may occur to a single child, these data may over estimate the number of children who are victims of abuse and neglect. A report is considered substantiated after state officials complete an investigation and determine that further action is required to protect the child. Definitions of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect are commonly understood. Dependency refers to an incidence in which a child is under improper care in a situation that is not due to an intentional act of the parent or custodian. Number of incidences are presented tabularly with percent change and in a bar graph.
Education, School Year 1995-96. Six educational indicators are reported for the state, county, and independent school districts and were obtained from the Kentucky Department of Education. The indicators are: