Many young Americans face challenges transitioning into adulthood. Without steady housing, positive role models, and essential resources, some fall behind their peers.
A recent WalletHub study evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 15 key youth risk indicators. Each metric was scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater risk. WalletHub then calculated a weighted average to rank each state. Indicators included the share of young people neither working nor attending school, poverty rates, labor force participation, and health factors.
New Jersey ranked 51st overall, indicating the lowest youth risk in the nation, with a total score of 23.38. It was followed by New Hampshire at 50th and Minnesota at 49th. Louisiana had the highest overall risk ranking.
Nationally, about 13 percent of individuals aged 18 to 24 are neither working nor enrolled in school. Many also face health challenges that can hinder physical, social, and emotional development. These issues often contribute to long term struggles such as poverty, early pregnancy, and exposure to violence. Notably, 77 percent of young adults are ineligible for U.S. military service due to academic, behavioral, or health disqualifications.
New Jersey also ranked 50th in both youth poverty and youth obesity, placing near the bottom in two major risk categories.
As inflation and economic pressures persist in 2025, New Jersey’s ranking reflects the positive impact of stable communities, strong support networks, and access to quality education and healthcare.
View the full WalletHub report here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.