St. Charles County, with statewide lows in child abuse rates and poverty,
ranked first in the state for kids. Less than 20 miles away, the city of St. Louis continued its grim 14-year streak, again ranking last among the state's 115 counties, according to the new 2008 Kids Count in Missouri study.

As is the case every year, children living in more affluent counties fared better
in the report.

Yet, the numbers in St. Louis County — the second most affluent in terms of median household income in the state — suggest that reductions in services   to children and demographic changes may be threatening the welfare of children, even in the suburbs.According to the report, violent deaths among teens were up in St. Louis County between 2003 and 2007, as were births to teenagers and deaths of young children. The county also slid in an additional five categories.

"You can't do the same with less," said Kate Tansey, head of the St. Louis County advocacy group Putting Kids First. "We have the largest population of adolescents in the state. Just by the sheer numbers, the needs are going to 
be greater."

The annual report, commissioned by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and compiled by Citizens for Missouri's Children, uses 10 indicators of child well-being in areas of health, education and juvenile justice.

St. Charles County (90,898 children)

Overall rank — 1

— Ranked 1st in the state for its low rate of child abuse and neglect (14.9 per 1,000)

— 1st in limited number of students in free and reduced-price lunch programs (15.4 percent)

— 5th in teen birthrate (20.7 teens per 1,000)

— Progress in 7 of 10 indicators