Children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Results of the 2000 Census. A KIDS COUNT/PRB Report on Census 2000.

Using 2000 U.S. Census data, this report compares the situation of children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to children's situations in neighboring territories and the nation overall. Between 1990-2000, the number of children in the Northern Mariana Islands increased 49 percent, while the number increased nationwide by only 14 percent in the past decade. Between 1989-1999, the Commonwealth's child poverty rate decreased from 39 to 38 percent, compared to a decrease from 18 to 16 percent nationally. About 35 percent of families with children in the Northern Mariana Islands were below poverty in 1999, with 54 percent below poverty among female-headed families. Nationwide, 14 percent of families with children and 34 percent of female-headed families with children were below poverty. Between 1990-2000, the percentage of 16-19-year-olds high school dropouts in the Commonwealth increased from 29-30 percent, while nationwide, only 10 percent were high school dropouts in 2000. Commonwealth municipalities. The 1999 poverty rates and high school dropout rates were highest on Saipan Island. Three appendices present information on the Census 2000 questionnaire, selected data for the total population and for children, and selected percentages for childen in the Northern Mariana Islands. (Contains 11 references.) (SM)