Reference page
U.S. child care statistics: prices, supply, and family demand
A current, citable view of the numbers shaping child care in the United States. This page is designed for childcare founders, journalists, researchers, and community partners who need clear context with sources attached.
Last updated November 11, 2026
At a glance
Child care is local by nature, so national figures cannot replace state licensing data, local tuition research, or a family’s own experience. They can, however, give a useful starting point for conversations about affordability, supply, and the practical role care plays in working families’ lives.
$13,184
national average annual price
Child Care Aware of America calculated this 2025 national average from three methods using price data from 47 states. It is a national benchmark, not a local tuition quote.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2025 Price & Supply ↗23%
price increase from 2021 to 2025
Over the same five-year period, overall prices rose 24%. The comparison describes national price movement, not the cost of a particular program or market.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2025 Price & Supply ↗60%
of reporting states saw center supply decline
Licensed child care centers declined in 26 of the 43 states with complete data from 2024 to 2025. The combined nationwide change was a 1% decrease.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2025 Price & Supply ↗1.4%
nationwide increase in family child care homes
The increase from 2024 to 2025 was driven by seven of the 42 states with complete data. That makes the national change useful context, but not a substitute for local supply research.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2025 Price & Supply ↗$10,520
average annual household spending
Among households with children age 13 and under that paid for child care in 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau found average annual spending of $10,520, equal to 5.6% of household income. 23.9% of those households paid for care.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 spending data, published 2026 ↗91.2%
of families with children under 6 had an employed parent
In 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that at least one parent was employed in 12.24 million of 13.42 million families with own children under 6. The 2025 annual estimate excludes October and is not strictly comparable with earlier annual averages.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 annual estimate ↗How to read these figures
Use the national picture with care.
These are published national estimates from Child Care Aware of America, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each organization uses its own collection methods, scope, and reporting period. The linked source for every statistic contains its full methodology.
For an operating decision, pair the national figures with current local information: licensing requirements, capacity, wages, family needs, comparable programs, and the financial realities of the community you intend to serve.
For professional guidance around a childcare business, explore Cynthia’s professional services.
Methodology and sources
Where these statistics come from
- Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply, published May 2026. Used for national price, price trend, center supply, and family child care home supply figures.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Child Care Challenges and Adaptations: Findings from the 2025 CPS ASEC, published May 2026. Used for 2024 household child care spending and disruption figures.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Characteristics of Families, 2025 annual results, released April 2026. Used for employment among families with own children under 6. The BLS notes that the 2025 estimate excludes October and is not strictly comparable with prior annual averages.
Cite this page
A simple citation for your work
Cynthia Mbangue-Smith. “U.S. Child Care Statistics: Prices, Supply, and Family Demand.” Updated November 11, 2026. https://iamcynsmith.com/child-care-statistics/
When quoting a specific number, link directly to its source as well as this page. The stable links above make it easy to point readers to the exact statistic.