Visualization by Melanie Kiper, 2/15/2022
About one-half of all children ages 3 and 4 years are enrolled in school, mostly in preschool, according to the latest Department of Education statistics. Enrollment varies significantly by state, from an estimated 44.8% in North Dakota to 87.8% in District of Columbia, in 2019.
Note: Standard errors shown in parenthesis
Source: NCES 2017-2019 Digest of Education Statistics, Table 202.25
Percent of 3- and 4-Year-Olds Enrolled in School by Race and Hispanic Ethnicity, 2019
Note: Race categories refer to non-Hispanics. Figures not shown for states where reporting standards not met.
Source: NCES 2019 Digest of Education Statistics, Table 202.25