Adoption & Foster Care Statistics

The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) collects case-level information on all children in foster care and those who have been adopted with title IV-E agency involvement. See Reporting Systems for more information.

Trends in Foster Care and Adoption - Presents national estimates of foster care and adoption population characteristics. Includes a new data visualization.

AFCARS Reports

AFCARS Report #27 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2019)
AFCARS Report #26 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2018)
AFCARS Report #25 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2017)
AFCARS Report #24 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2016)
AFCARS Report #23 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2015)
AFCARS Report #22 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2014)
AFCARS Report #21 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2013)
AFCARS Report #20 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2012)
AFCARS Report #19 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2011)
AFCARS Report #18 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2010)
AFCARS Report #17 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009)
AFCARS Report #16 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2008)
AFCARS Report #15 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007)
AFCARS Report #14 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006)
AFCARS Report #13 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2005)
AFCARS Report #12 (Final for Fiscal Year 1998 through Fiscal Year 2002)
AFCARS Report #11 (Preliminary Estimates for Fiscal Year 2004)
AFCARS Report #10 (Interim Estimates for Fiscal Year 2003)

Additional State-by-State Adoption and Foster Care Statistics

For state-specific foster care statistics on entries, exits, and in care on the last day of the federal fiscal year, please see Trends in Foster Care and Adoption.

State-Specific Adoption Statistics

Office of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation Data Briefs

A National Look at the Use of Congregate Care in Child Welfare - This data brief, developed by the Children’s Bureau, presents trends from the AFCARS to help policymakers and advocates at the state and federal level better understand the population of children and youth who are likely to experience congregate care, and what additional supports may be needed to further reduce reliance on this placement setting.

Data Brief 2013-1: Recent Demographic Trends in Foster Care - Over the last decade, the U.S. foster care population has undergone a substantial reduction in size and experienced a shift in its racial and ethnic composition. This data brief summarizes those changes and provides new geographic detail.