Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly different than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Children with All Parents in the Labor Force: Under 6
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
This indicator describes children, 6 years of age and under, who have both parents in the work force.
Why is this important?
In recent years, mothers of young children have increasingly entered the paid labor force. The rate for all working-age adults has remained relatively flat as the share of mothers with children under age 6 in the labor force has risen sharply. The labor force has become slightly more female with the rising share of women, predominantly mothers with young children, and the decline in the share of employed men in the labor force. Factors that may contribute to the sharp rise include the recent economic recession, the steady decline in men's real earnings, the growth in single-mother families, and the increase in women's educational levels.
With a growing proportion of children under age six having all of their parents in the labor force, most families with young children require some form of non-parental early child care. While reliance on early child care will likely increase, early child care is not part of the US workforce infrastructure. Childcare is a major household expense for families with young children. Access to affordable and high quality childcare is essential for parents to be able to provide sufficient income for their family while ensuring all of their children's social and educational needs are met. Affordable childcare in a community also strengthens the economy with a larger labor force and stronger tax base.
| Region | Source | Measurement Period | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Data Source
- American Community Survey 5-Year
Note: This source uses Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) for its Zip Code data. Learn more
Maintained By: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (Methodology)
Filed under: Economy, Economy / Employment, Social Determinants of Health, Children