331,747 Children Were in U.S. Foster Care on September 30, 2025
After six straight years of decline, the national count rose slightly, partly because Washington State reported for the first time under the new rules.
Tone: Explainer.Official ReportsNational
The number
331,747
children in U.S. foster care on Sep 30, 2025
Source: Children’s Bureau · AFCARS Dashboard No. 33 (FY 2025) · Submissions as of Feb 27, 2026.
The federal government's count of children in foster care comes from AFCARS, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. Every state reports to it. The latest figures, published by the Children's Bureau with data as of February 27, 2026, cover federal fiscal year 2025.
On September 30, 2025, 331,747 children were in foster care in the United States. During the year, 175,008 children entered care and 169,927 left.
Up, after six years down
The count had fallen every year from FY 2018 (437,010) through FY 2024 (327,364 in the latest revision). FY 2025 is slightly higher. Part of the rise is technical: FY 2025 is the first year Washington State's children are included under the new reporting rules.
U.S. children in foster care, entries and exits, FY 2015–2025
- In care (Sep 30)
- Entered care
- Exited care
A series break to know about
Starting in FY 2023, states report under a new federal rule (AFCARS 2020). The Children's Bureau says FY 2023 and later are not comparable with FY 2022 and earlier. Our charts mark the break. The long-run decline is real, but the exact size of any one-year change across 2022–2023 is not.
Where children live
In the latest detailed breakdown (FY 2024), relatives or kin were the most common placement: 127,449 children, 39% of those in care. Non-relative foster homes cared for 92,808 (28%), therapeutic foster homes 28,365 (9%). Residential care, group homes and institutions together held about 35,000 children, around one in ten.
What it means for Texas and Louisiana
AFCARS counted 17,520 Texas children and 4,619 Louisiana children in care on September 30, 2025. State agencies publish their own counts on different dates and definitions; see how Texas counts.
Official sources
- Children’s Bureau · AFCARS Dashboard No. 33 (FY 2025)Submissions as of Feb 27, 2026.
- Children’s Bureau · AFCARS Dashboard No. 32 (FY 2024)Living-arrangement breakdown.
- Children’s Bureau · Trends in Foster Care & Adoption FY 2013–2022
Published September 24, 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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331,747: children in U.S. foster care on Sep 30, 2025. After six straight years of decline, the national count rose slightly, partly because Washington State reported for the first time under the new rules. Link in bio · Source: Children’s Bureau · AFCARS Dashboard No. 33 (FY 2025) #FosterCare #Capacity #KinshipCare
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