The State of Gadsden County

More women receive prenatal care than in the past.
More children are immunized than the state average.
Domestic violence is down.
Residents feel safer in their neighborhoods.
Gadsden has among the state’s lowest unemployment and high school dropout rates.
Gadsden’s median income is $7,000 higher than the state average.
Gadsden has several model child care centers.
Most parents say they read to their children.

Gadsden has more low birth weight babies and a higher infant mortality rate than the state average, especially high among African Americans.
Gadsden has a growing number of babies at high risk of developmental problems.
Infant maltreatment is on the rise.
Nearly 40% of abuse involves children under age 6.
Almost 40% of new births are to single moms.
Many neighborhoods are isolated and not designed to support children or interaction among neighbors.
More than 40% of children live in poverty.
There is a lack of affordable, quality child care.
Gadsden has a higher than average number of children entering school not ready to learn and retained in kindergarten.