Minnesota Drops to Fourth in Kids Count Report

Undated -- (Learfield Wire Services/TTWN Media Networks) -- Minnesota has lost its Number One national ranking for children's overall well-being, which it held for the previous two years.

The annual "Kids Count" survey from the Annie E. Casey Foundation has the Gopher State fourth, behind three New England states -- first place New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Minnesota is still Number One for children's health factors, and it rose one spot to second for kids' economic well-being. However, the Gopher State fell to Number eight for its education system, down two spots from last year. It remains fourth for family and community support.

The report says 13 percent of Minnesota's kids live in poverty, well below the national average of 21 percent.