Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


About N C H S graphic and link
Información en Español
Fastats A-Z provides health statistics and links to additional sources of information
N C H S help graphic and link
Coming Events graphic and link
Surveys and Data Collection Systems graphic and link
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey graphic and link
National Health Care Survey graphic and link
National Health Interview Survey graphic and link
National Immunization Survey graphic and link
National Survey of Family Growth graphic and link
State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey graphic and link
National Vital Statistics System graphic and link
Initiatives graphic and link
Aging Activities graphic and link
Disease Classification graphic and link
Healthy People graphic and link
Injury graphic and link
Research and Development graphic and link
NCHS Press Room
News Releases graphic and link
Publications and Information Products graphic and link
Statistical Export and Tabulation System
Listserv graphic and link
Graphic and link to FEDSTATS and other sites
Download graphic
Adobe Acrobat Reader graphic and link
Accessible Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 graphic and link
PowerPoint Viewer 97 graphic and link
National Center for Health Statistics 3311 Toledo Road Hyattsville, Maryland 20782
Toll Free Data Inquiries 1-866-441-NCHS


CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z
NCHS home page graphic and link
News Releases
2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
1995 | 1994

Fact Sheets
2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
1995 |
1994 |
NCHS Home | CDC/NCHS Privacy Policy Notice
Accessibility | Search NCHS | Data Definitions | Contact us

New Report Tracks Trends in Births by State

Shows Westward Shift in Births

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2004

Contact: NCHS/CDC Public Affairs
(301) 458-4800
E-mail: nchsquery@cdc.gov

Trends in Characteristics of Births by State: United States, 1990, 1995, and 2000-2002. National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 52, Number 19. 152 pp. (PHS) 2004-1120
View/download PDF 10.7 MB (508 accessible)
Due to the large size or complexity of this file it has not been made compliant with the Americans with Disablilities Act, Section 508.  Visually impaired assistive technology users may call 3 0 1 4 5 8 4 6 3 6 or e mail n c h s query at c d c dot gov for assistance.View/download PDF 1.4 MB

Despite a nationwide decline in the number of births over the past decade, a number of States, particularly in the western United States, showed significant increases. This western shift is due in part to a growing population as well as the age and race composition of residents in those States. States with the largest increases were Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Increases were also noted in Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, and North Carolina.

The States with the greatest declines in births were primarily in the Northeast and included Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The number of births also declined in other parts of the country; decreases were noted in North Dakota, Michigan, and Alaska. In 2002, the birth rate ranged from 10 births per 1,000 population recorded in Maine and Vermont to 21 per 1,000 in Utah.

“Trends in Characteristics of Births by State: United States, 1990, 1995, and 2000-2002” documents the changes in births, birth rates, and other fertility measures and demographic patterns. Births are tabulated for each State and the Nation by race, ethnicity, marital status, age, and education of mothers; birth order; and sex ratios of births in this comprehensive analysis with details not usually available, including illustrative maps.

Highlights of the report include these findings:
bullet graphicNationwide and in all States, birth rates were down for women under age 30 and increased for women 30 years and over between 1990 and 2002.

bullet graphicEach year more boys than girls are born, and nationwide this sex ratio has stabilized at about 1,050 boys for every 1,000 girls. There are differences by State, with the 3-year average sex ratio highest in Hawaii (1,075) and the lowest in New Mexico (1,030). There is also variation by race and ethnicity. Asian or Pacific Islander and white women have higher sex ratios than the national average, and Hispanic, black, and American Indian women have lower ratios.

bullet graphicNationwide just over one-third of births were to unmarried women in 2002, and this proportion has increased in every State since 1990 but still varies considerably by State. The highest proportion of unmarried births is in the Southeast.

bullet graphicIn general, women with higher educational levels have more favorable pregnancy outcomes. From 1990 to 2002, the percentage of births to women with 16 or more years of education increased in nearly every State. However, some States--all with rapidly growing Hispanic populations--experienced an increase in the percentage of births to women with fewer than 12 years of education.

Data in this report are based on birth certificates filed in State vital statistics offices and reported to CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics through the National Cooperative Vital Statistics System. The report can be viewed or downloaded at NCHS Web site. The Web site also contains additional information about the vital statistics program.

###

CDC protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

News Releases
2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
1995 | 1994
Fact Sheets
2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
1995 |
1994
NCHS Home | CDC/NCHS Privacy Policy Notice | Accessibility
Search NCHS |
Data Definitions | Contact us


CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed May 17, 2004

H H S Health and Human Services logo and link
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Health Statistics
Hyattsville, MD
20782

(301) 458-4000