Foster Care Statistics [Updated 2025]

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.

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.

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)

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 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

If you meet the requirements mentioned above and are ready to support youth in your community by becoming a foster parent, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

• Attend an info session: Even if you feel confident about fostering, it’s important to attend one of our info sessions. You’ll learn more about the unique needs of youth in treatment foster care and the support available to help you meet those needs.
• Complete the pre-service training: Foster parenting requires a deep commitment to caring for children or teens who may have experienced trauma or a challenging circumstance. To help prepare your family, you’ll complete 25 hours of required training designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to provide the best care possible.
• Finish the home study and paperwork: To ensure every child is placed in a safe and nurturing environment, you’ll undergo an assessment and submit the necessary paperwork. This step helps confirm your readiness to provide a stable and supportive home.

As we mentioned above, this process can take anywhere from three to six months. While it requires time and effort, it’s essential to ensure you’re fully prepared to succeed as a foster parent and help the youth in your care adapt to their new home and thrive.

Foster care and adoption give children facing challenging situations the safety and stability they need. A common misconception is that all youth in foster care is lost or pained. That’s not always the case, as most of the children in our Treatment Foster Care Program have entered the system due to some challenging circumstances.

These statistics are designed to help you better understand the foster care system and what role you can play in supporting children in foster care and the families who care for them.

You may also be interested in these articles:

• Foster Care Vs. Adoption In Virginia
• Treatment Foster Care FAQs
• Are There Orphanages In Virginia?

Shineforth has 8 locations throughout the state of Virginia, conveniently located across the Commonwealth. If you are interested in learning more about  how to become a foster parent, we encourage you to send us an inquiry, or contact Shineforth at any of these locations.

• Richmond
• Fredericksburg
• Alexandria-Northern Virginia
• Tidewater-Norfolk
• Farmville
• South Hill
• Lynchburg