CNHI News Service Originals

Never Empty Nest: Numbers


CNHI News Service
Published: August 24, 2006

Numbers



4.5 million: U.S. children in grandparent homes.



$725: Estimated average monthly cost to raise a child.



$20,000: Average annual poverty level income in U.S.



$4.5 billion: Estimated annual added foster care cost if grandchildren entered system.



57: Average age of grandparent as parent.



20: Percentage of grandparents raising grandchildren in poverty.



47: Percentage of grandparents raising grandchildren, who are white.



29: Percentage of grandparents raising grandchildren, who are African-American.



17: Percentage of grandparents raising grandchildren, who are Hispanic.



7: Percentage of grandparents raising children, who are Asian, American Indian or from another ethnic group.