• According to a Census Bureau report titled “A Child’s Day,” the number of children considered “on track” academically increased to 75 percent from 69 percent in 1994.
• In 1994, 54 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds were given rules regarding watching TV, but the number grew to 67 percent in 2003. 
  • Among 6- to 11-year-olds, the number grew from 60 percent to 68 percent.
  • The number grew from 40 percent to 44 percent among 12- to 17-year-olds.
• Among children under age 6, 57 percent have breakfast every day with at least one parent, compared to 51 percent in that age group in 1994. 
  • fewer than one-third of 6- to 11-year-olds and fewer than one-fourth of 12- to 17-year-olds have breakfast with at least one parent.
• Nearly four in 10 children have been in regular childcare.
• 41 percent of children participate in the National School Lunch Program.
  • Seventy million children lived with a female designated parent, while 2.8 million children lived with a male designated parent.
  • Most children, 51.8 million, were living with a designated parent who was currently married; hence, they were living in a two-parent family.
  • Another 12.5 million children were living with a designated parent who was separated, divorced, or widowed
  • 8.4 million were living with a designated parent who had never married.
• Fifteen percent (10.7 million) of children lived in families with monthly incomes of less than $1,500 per month.
  • 13.7 million (19 percent) lived in families with monthly incomes of $3,000 to $4,499
  • 20.3 million (28 percent) lived in families with monthly incomes of $6,000 and above
  • 18 percent (12.8 million) of children lived in families with incomes that fell below the poverty level.
  • Twenty-three percent (16.9 million) lived in a household at 100 to 199 percent of poverty and 57 percent (41.1 million) lived in a household at 200 percent of poverty or higher.
• More than one-half (56 percent) of children lived in households that participated in at least one or more of the following government aid programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Food Stamp Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Medicaid; and the National School Lunch Program.

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