Union County Slips in Kids Count Rankings

Union County's overall position dropped in the most recent New Jersey Kids County rankings, falling one spot among the state's 21 counties from eighth place last year to ninth.

But data from the annual survey, which was accumulated by Advocates for Children of New Jersey and measures progress in improving the lives of children in 13 critical areas, found that despite some issues the news isn't all bad for Union County's school-aged children.

Union County's one-spot slip is likely the result of an increase in unemployment as well as a drop in child care options for working parents. Despite the fewer child care options, however, which dropped from 675 per 1,000 children up to four years old in 2011 to 665 in 2013, Union County still has more available child care options when compared to statewide averages.

In other positive news, Union County saw its best improvement in a decline in child poverty, which fell from 17 percent to 14 percent of children living in families who earn too little to meet their children's needs. According to a release, the county also posted slight improvements in both median family income and the percent of women receiving early prenatal care.

Though many of Union County's trends are positive, the rising unemployment rate should not be discounted, Cecilia Zalkind, executive director of Advocates for Children of New Jersey said. 

"Union County has bucked statewide trends with a decrease in the child poverty rate and that is encouraging," she said. "However, the increase in unemploument is concerning, especially considering half of Union County households are spending too much of their income on rent."

Union County's unemployment rate has gone from 7 percent to 9.3 percent - also the state average - from 2008 to 2012, but it's not alone in the increase. Unemployment has grown in every county over the same period. Median income in Union County for families with children has risen from $73,952 in 2007 to $74,835 in 2011. Ten New Jersey counties have experienced a decline over the same period.

According to Kids Count, Hunterdon County has claimed the top spot on its annual rankings, moving up from its second place finish last year. Morris County, last year's number one, dropped to second place. 

In the bottom, Salem County ranks worst among the state's counties, a three-spot drop from last year. Cumberland County, last year's low county rose one spot to 20th place.

For more information, including a breakdown of data per county, click here.