[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota is ranked the second-best state in the nation for children, according to a new report from SmileHub. Minnesota ranked first in support system strength, third in family and working life, and among the top five states for overall child well-being and life expectancy.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and in Minnesota, we’re making that possible,” said Governor Walz. “From investing in early learning and affordable child care to creating nation-leading programs like the Child Tax Credit and Paid Family and Medical Leave, we’re helping families build stability and opportunity. This ranking reflects what Minnesotans know best: when we put children and families first, our entire state grows stronger.”

The SmileHub report compared all 50 states across 27 key metrics, including health, education, family life, and community support. The results highlight Minnesota’s leadership in building strong support networks for children, maintaining one of the nation’s highest life expectancies, and fostering healthy families and communities.

This recognition follows several other recent national rankings that reflect Minnesota’s continued commitment to children, families, and communities, including being named a Top State to Raise a Family and the Third-Best State for Health Care.