Study Finds New Jersey Has Least At-Risk Youth in the Nation

According to a study by WalletHub, New Jersey was ranked as having the least at-risk youth in the nation in 2024. The study looked at rates of poverty, early pregnancy, violence, and other harmful experiences.

The study also ranked states, as well as the District of Columbia (DC), in regard to education and employment opportunities, and health, for which New Jersey ranked 3^rd and 5^th best respectively.

Other subcategories and New Jersey's national rank in the respective subcategories are as follows:

• Percent of disconnected youth - 13^th Best
• Percent of youth without a high school diploma - 11^th Best
• Percent of overweight and obese youth - 8^th Best
• Percent of youth drug users - 31^st Best
• Youth poverty rate - 2^nd Best
• Percent of homeless youth - 23^rd Best

WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe was quoted on tapinto.net saying, "A high share of youth who are not working, not getting an education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future . . . States that are most impacted by this problem, as well as related issues like high youth poverty rates, widespread drug use and low test scores, need a wake-up call to invest more into improving conditions for young residents. Otherwise, the future economic and social progress of the state is in danger."

Click here to read more on this story and click here to access the study itself.