Kids Count, Overall Child Demographic Rank, USA, 1999-2005

Overall Rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, we converted the 2005 (or 2004, depending on the indicator) state numerical values for each of the 10 key indicators into standard scores. We then summed those standard scores to create a total standard score for each of the 50 states. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score in sequential order from highest/best (1) to lowest/ worst (50). Standard scores were derived by subtracting the mean score from the observed score and dividing the amount by the standard deviation for that distribution of scores. All measures were given the same weight in calculating the total standard score.