Children in Essex County are showing improvements in several key health and well-being indicators, although challenges remain for some families.
Early prenatal care is an important first step toward healthy birth outcomes. In 2024, most mothers in Essex County began prenatal care during the first trimester, including 90% of Asian mothers, 85% of White mothers, 79% of Hispanic mothers and 75% of African American mothers. These rates were generally higher than state and national levels, though disparities among racial and ethnic groups persist.
Preterm birth rates in Essex County have remained relatively stable over time. In 2024, 10% of births were premature, a rate similar to the state and lower than the national rate of 12%. Infant mortality has also remained relatively low in Essex County with 3.3 deaths per 1,000 births in 2019-23, similar to the state rate and below the national rate.
Exposure to lead remains an important environmental health concern, but progress has been made. In 2024, 76% of children ages 9 months to 4 years were screened for lead poisoning in Essex County. Elevated blood lead levels were detected in 55 children, representing a rate of 2.7 per 1,000 children – the same as the statewide rate and a 42% decline since 2010.
Economic hardship continues to affect many families. In 2020-24, about 19,900 children in Essex County were living in poverty, representing 12% of all children under age 18. This rate was similar to the state but below the national rate of 16%. Poverty rates were much higher in some communities, including Lawrence (24%) and Lynn (18%), and disparities exist by race and ethnicity, with Hispanic children experiencing higher poverty rates than white children.
As youth move into adolescence, most remain engaged in school or work. In 2020-24, about 6% of Essex County youth ages 16-19 were not enrolled in school and not working, similar to national and state rates. Teen births have also declined substantially. In 2024, the teen birth rate was 8 per 1,000 females ages 15-19, a 62% decrease since 2010. Youth involvement with the justice system has declined as well. In 2024, there were more than 1,800 youth arrests in Essex County, a rate of 11 per 10,000 youth, down from 21 in 2010.
Overall, Essex County shows progress in several indicators affecting children and youth, including declining teen birth rates, improvements in lead exposure and relatively low infant mortality. However, disparities in prenatal care and persistent child poverty indicate ongoing challenges for some families and communities.