Half of Americans in 22 states live in “child-care deserts"—places where there are more than three children for every child-care slot—according to a new geographic analysis by the Center on American Progress, a liberal think tank.
California and New York had the biggest underserved populations, with more than 60 percent of people in each state living in child-care deserts.
Hispanic and Native American families were the hardest hit groups; more than 60 percent live in child-care deserts.
In areas with few child-care options, the study found that mothers are 3 percentage points less likely to be employed than in communities with more child care available.
