772 Texas Youth Aged Out of Foster Care in FY 2025
The fewest in a decade, and still 772 young adults starting life without a permanent family.
Tone: Hard data.Data StoriesTexas
The number
772
Texas youth who left care through emancipation in FY 2025
Source: DFPS Data Book · CPS 2.8 Exits from DFPS Custody by Exit Type · Exit type “Youth Emancipation,” FY 2016–2025.
In FY 2025, 772 young people left Texas foster care the way no one hopes they will: by aging out. DFPS calls this "youth emancipation." It means their time in DFPS custody ended because of their age, not because they went home, went to relatives or were adopted.
The number has fallen steadily, from 1,250 in FY 2016 to 772, the lowest in the ten years DFPS publishes in its Data Book.
Texas youth aging out of care (youth emancipation), FY 2016–2025
Source: CPS 2.8 Exits from DFPS Custody by Exit Type, Avg # Placements, and Avg Months in Care FY2016-2025
Where they aged out
Bexar County had the most (118), then Harris (87), Tarrant (72) and Dallas (47). Lubbock (22), Taylor (21) and Potter (20) stand out for their size. See all counties on the Texas explorer.
Why it matters
Turning 18 doesn't make anyone ready to live alone. Most young adults lean on family for years: a couch to come back to, a phone call about a lease, a ride when the car breaks down. Youth who age out often start without any of that.
Texas offers extended foster care and transitional support to young adults, and nonprofits across the state help with housing, school and work. But the most powerful thing is a permanent adult: a family that adopts a teenager, a mentor who stays, a relative who says "come home for the holidays."
What you can do
- Consider fostering or adopting a teen. Teens wait longer than younger children for families.
- Mentor a young adult transitioning out of care.
- Support local programs that help with housing, jobs and school.
Official sources
- DFPS Data Book · CPS 2.8 Exits from DFPS Custody by Exit TypeExit type “Youth Emancipation,” FY 2016–2025.
Published August 18, 2026. Drafted with AI assistance from the official reports above; every figure links to its source. Spot an error? Tell us.
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772: Texas youth who left care through emancipation in FY 2025. The fewest in a decade, and still 772 young adults starting life without a permanent family. Link in bio · Source: DFPS Data Book · CPS 2.8 Exits from DFPS Custody by Exit Type #FosterCare #AgingOut #Teens
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