| Q: |
How do States vary in their birth rates for mothers ages 15-17? |
| A: |
In 2008, the birth rate for mothers ages 15–17 was five times greater in the District of Columbia than in New Hampshire. |
Teenage birth rates by State, 2008
| State |
Births per 1,000 females in age group, 2008 |
| Ages 15-19 |
Ages 15-17 |
Ages 18-19 |
United States |
41.5 |
21.7 |
70.6 |
Alabama |
53.0 |
26.7 |
91.5 |
Alaska |
46.8 |
19.3 |
96.4 |
Arizona |
56.2 |
31.3 |
97.1 |
Arkansas |
61.8 |
30.8 |
109.4 |
California |
38.4 |
21.4 |
62.9 |
Colorado |
42.5 |
22.5 |
74.8 |
Connecticut |
22.9 |
11.7 |
39.2 |
Delaware |
40.4 |
21.1 |
66.4 |
District of Columbia |
50.9 |
40.6 |
59.2 |
Florida |
42.8 |
21.3 |
75.9 |
Georgia |
51.8 |
26.7 |
92.7 |
Hawaii |
42.1 |
18.7 |
76.8 |
Idaho |
41.2 |
19.9 |
72.8 |
Illinois |
38.1 |
21.2 |
61.7 |
Indiana |
43.7 |
20.6 |
79.1 |
Iowa |
33.9 |
16.8 |
57.2 |
Kansas |
45.6 |
22.0 |
80.1 |
Kentucky |
55.6 |
25.1 |
105 |
Louisiana |
54.1 |
27.5 |
90.7 |
Maine |
26.1 |
10.3 |
50.8 |
Maryland |
32.8 |
17.4 |
55.2 |
Massachusetts |
20.1 |
10.8 |
31.7 |
Michigan |
33.2 |
16.8 |
57.6 |
Minnesota |
27.2 |
12.9 |
48.1 |
Mississippi |
65.7 |
35.2 |
109.7 |
Missouri |
45.5 |
21.6 |
83.1 |
Montana |
40.7 |
18.6 |
76.0 |
Nebraska |
36.5 |
18.1 |
62.8 |
Nevada |
53.5 |
28.0 |
101.8 |
New Hampshire |
19.8 |
7.7 |
38.0 |
New Jersey |
24.5 |
12.1 |
44.2 |
New Mexico |
64.1 |
38.0 |
102.1 |
New York |
25.2 |
13.0 |
41.5 |
North Carolina |
49.4 |
26.0 |
84.0 |
North Dakota |
28.6 |
14.1 |
45.3 |
Ohio |
41.0 |
19.7 |
73.8 |
Oklahoma |
61.6 |
30.9 |
109.8 |
Oregon |
37.2 |
18.2 |
67.6 |
Pennsylvania |
31.5 |
17.0 |
51.0 |
Rhode Island |
28.5 |
17.5 |
40.7 |
South Carolina |
53.1 |
27.5 |
89.1 |
South Dakota |
40.0 |
20.7 |
68.3 |
Tennessee |
55.6 |
26.9 |
101.9 |
Texas |
63.4 |
36.3 |
105.7 |
Utah |
35.1 |
18.2 |
58.1 |
Vermont |
21.3 |
7.4 |
39.4 |
Virginia |
33.5 |
15.5 |
58.5 |
Washington |
34.6 |
16.1 |
64.9 |
West Virginia |
48.8 |
23.4 |
86.0 |
Wisconsin |
31.3 |
15.6 |
54.3 |
Wyoming |
49.2 |
22.9 |
88.1 |
Puerto Rico |
54.9 |
34.6 |
85.0 |
Virgin Islands |
51.1 |
26.8 |
91.8 |
Guam |
55.0 |
27.5 |
98.0 |
American Samoa |
37.1 |
16.4 |
75.1 |
Northern Marianas |
42.3 |
23.0 |
76.3 |
[ Excel file ]
- The U.S. birth rate for mothers ages 15–17 fell 44% between 1991 and 2008.
- During this period, the birth rate for mothers ages 15–17 declined in every state. The states with the largest relative decline include Vermont (down 65%), Maine (57%), Massachusetts (57%), Connecticut (56%), New Hampshire (55%), and New York (55%). In the District of Columbia, the birth rate for mothers ages 15–17 fell 61%.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/population/qa01304.asp?qaDate=2008.
Released on April 22, 2011. Data Source: Martin, J.A., Hamilton, B.E., Sutton, PD, et al. Births: Final Data for 2008. National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 59, No. 01.
[ PDF]. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics, 2010.
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