What does this indicator measure?

The United Way’s State of Caring Index is a "quality of life barometer."  The index ranks the level of caring for the nation and the 50 individual states from 1992 to 2002.  Criteria for rankings are based on 36 indicators covering the areas of economic and financial well-being, education, health, volunteerism/charity/civic engagement, safety, and natural environment.  The score each state received on this index is indicative of the overall responsiveness of the state to the needs of its constituents.  Additionally, Texas’ rank on the State of Caring Index provides a context for comparison between Texas and other states, and also between Texas and the United States as a whole.  This index does not measure the state of caring on a county or city level. 
  

Why is this indicator important?
Good relationships between members of society with different needs, concerns, and strengths empower the community as a whole.  The United Way State of Caring Index brings both social and economic issues into focus, showing the public as well as policymakers how we are doing as a nation and as a state and the areas where improvement is needed.  It also shows how we are doing in comparison with previous years. The indicators give residents and policymakers the opportunity to demonstrate compassion where it is most needed.

How are we doing?
The ranking of the United States as a whole on the United Way State of Caring Index dropped 4.8% from 2000 to 2002, but showed an overall 19.4% increase during the 10-year period from 1992 to 2002.

Since 1992, Texas has consistently ranked in the bottom quintile (fifth) of the index.  In 2002, Texas ranked 44th among 50 states.  The trend data indicate the following for the state of Texas:

• Indicators pertaining to education, safety, the natural environment, and economic and financial well-being were generally improving or holding steady.
• Data regarding indicators pertaining to health and volunteerism/charity/civic engagement showed some indicators to be improving, some holding steady, and some declining.
• Declining indicators included the following 10 indicators:
  • Apartment rental affordability
  • Percentage of children and adults who are medically uninsured
  • Percentage of families with children headed by a single parent
  • Percentage of low birth weight babies
  • Percentage of 12th graders who have used any other drug than marijuana in the past 30 days
  • Percentage of adults who reported smoking every day or some days
  • Percentage of people who say, in general, most people can be trusted
  • Amount raised by United Way per capita
  • Percentage of registered voters who voted in presidential year elections
  • Annual delay per traveler during peak travel periods (in hours)  
• The following 17 indicators were shown to be improving:
  • Median household income
  • Percentage of population living below the federal poverty level
  • Unemployment rate
  • Homeownership rate
  • Percentage of adults 25 and older who have completed high school or higher level of education
  • Percentage of 8th graders at or above proficiency level in math
  • Percentage of 4th graders at or above proficiency level in reading
  • Public school expenditure per pupil
  • Pupil–teacher ratios in public elementary and secondary schools
  • Teen birth rate (births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 17)
  • Percentage of mothers beginning prenatal care in the first trimester
  • Infant mortality rate
  • Percentage of children ages 19 to 35 months immunized
  • Financial support to nonprofit groups per capita
  • Violent crimes reported per 100,000 inhabitants
  • Property crimes reported per 100,000 inhabitants
  • Percentage of all municipal solid waste recovered  
• The trend data show the following 9 indicators are holding steady:
  • Gap between top fifth and bottom fifth of income earners
  • Percentage of teens who are high school dropouts
  • Test scores on national science exam for 17-year-old students
  • Average number of physically healthy days out of 30 days
  • Average number of mentally healthy days out of 30 days
  • Percentage of population served by community water systems that have no health-based violations
  • Median yearly hours volunteered by those who volunteer (ages 16 and over)
  • Percentage of the population (ages 16 and over) that volunteer
  • Percentage of people who live in counties that meet standards for air pollutants 

The trend data and additional graphs and charts may be viewed in detail here.  Select "Texas" from the drop-down list, and then click "View Profile."