Foster Care Statistics

Children have the right to a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment. Unfortunately, it is hard for some families to provide this environment for their kids. That’s where foster care steps in.

Foster care meets a child’s need for safety and stability by placing them in a foster home, when possible. Dedicated and licensed foster parents commit to caring for children and teens who need a warm, welcoming, and loving home until they are reunited with their family.

Some foster parents even commit to providing long-term care. They may adopt their foster children and create a permanent home for the kids they come to love.

Current Foster Care Statistics

Many children and teens enter foster care each year, yet most people know little about how many youth are affected or what happens to them as they grow up in the system. By exploring these key foster care statistics, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the system works in Virginia and across the United States, and the challenges and outcomes youth in foster care often face.

National Numbers

There are approximately 343,000 children in foster care across the United States. (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Report, September 2023 AFCARS)

The average age of a foster child in the U.S. is 9 years old. (ACF)

The average length of time a child resides in foster care in the U.S in 20 months. (ACF)

44% percent of U.S. children in foster care will be reunited with their parents or primary caregiver. (ACF)

There are approximately 78,000 children in foster care in the U.S. who are waiting for adoption. (ACF)

Approximately 50,000 children in foster care in the U.S. get adopted each year. (ACF)

27% percent of children in foster care are adopted, often by their foster parents. (ACF)

15,000 children in foster care age out of the system at age 18 or 21. (ACF)

20% of teens who age out of foster care will become instantly homeless. (National Foster Youth Institute)

70% of the young women who age out of foster care become pregnant before 21. (National Foster Youth Institute)

Virginia Statistics

There are over 5,600 children in foster care in Virginia. (VDSS)

Of the children in foster care in Virginia, 50% are boys and 50% are girls.  (VDSS)

56% of children in Virginia foster care are Caucasian, 31% are African-American and 10% are Hispanic. (VDSS)

46% of the children in foster care are 13 years and older. 28% are 5 yrs old and under, and 25% are 6-12 years old. (VDSS)

The average stay in foster care is 22 months. The average time varies dramatically based on the goal. When the goal is to return home, the average time in foster care is 11 months. When the goal is adoption, the average time in foster care is 33 months. This is typically because the initial goal is almost always reunification with parents/family. Adoption typically becomes a goal later in the placement when reunification or placement with relatives is not possible.   (VDSS)

20% of children who exit Virginia foster care each year age out at 18. This means Virginia ranks as one of the worst states in the USA for the percent of children who age out of foster care without a permanent home. (VDSS)

31% of Virginia children in foster care return to their birth family. (VDSS)

1700+ foster children (30% of children in care) in Virginia have a goal of adoption and are waiting for adoptive families. (VDSS)

Becoming a Foster Parent

Becoming a foster parent is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. You have the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on the life of a child or teen who needs stability, compassion, and support. However, fostering also requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to navigate emotional and logistical challenges. It’s not always easy, but with the right mindset and resources, it can be deeply fulfilling for both you and the child in your care.

At Shineforth, you’re never on your own. Through our Treatment Foster Care Program, you’ll have access to a dedicated team of professionals and a supportive community of fellow foster parents. Whether you need advice, encouragement, or practical resources, we’re here to help every step of the way. Together, we’ll make sure you have the tools and support you need to succeed as a foster parent.

Here are a few key things you need to know if you’re interested in becoming a foster parent:

• It takes an average of 3 to 6 months to become a licensed foster parent through Shineforth
• 21 is the minimum age requirement to become a foster parent (VDSS)
• There are 0 gender, cultural, ethnicity, marital status, educational, or home ownership requirements for becoming a foster parent (VDSS)
• 8 is the maximum number of children in a foster care provider’s home, but most have significantly less (VDSS)
• The average stay in foster care is 19 months. (VDSS)
• The standard maintenance payments paid to foster parents range from $450-700 per month depending on the age of the child. Annual clothing allowance is also age dependent and afforded to foster parents in the amount of $300-500 per year.
• A family must foster a child for at least 6 months before the legal adoption process can begin

Additionally, to begin the foster parent process in Virginia you need to meet the following requirements:

• Stable form of income
• Personal references
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Physical space in your home
• Emotional space in your life
• Medical information
• Pass Child Protective Services and Criminal History Searches