Georgia early learning reference
Georgia child care statistics: 2026 reference guide
Clear, citable figures on the size, cost, access, and oversight of child care in Georgia. Each number links to the original public source and keeps its reporting year visible.
Last updated October 29, 2026
Key figures at a glance
Child care affects family schedules, household budgets, workforce participation, and the daily development of young children. These figures offer a practical snapshot of the latest state and federal data currently available.
$6.52 billion
in total economic activity
Georgia’s early care and education industry generated this amount in 2024.
Source: Georgia DECAL economic impact study, 2024 ↗336,000
children served
Georgia’s early care and education industry served approximately this many children in 2024.
Source: Georgia DECAL economic impact study, 2024 ↗$46.2 billion
in parent earnings supported
This is the estimated parent earnings supported by the availability of early care and education in Georgia during 2024.
Source: Georgia DECAL economic impact study, 2024 ↗$172/week
statewide median center-based rate
This was the median weekly full-day rate across reporting child care learning centers for children ages 0–4 in October 2023.
Source: Georgia DECAL market rate data, October 2023 ↗$217/week
median center-based rate in Zone 1
Zone 1, primarily greater Atlanta urban and suburban counties, had this median weekly full-day rate for children ages 0–4 in October 2023.
Source: Georgia DECAL market rate data, October 2023 ↗69.6%
of reporting providers participated in CAPS
Among 3,435 providers with confirmed or updated rate data in 2023, 2,391 participated in Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services subsidy program.
Source: Georgia DECAL market rate data, October 2023 ↗9,450
inspections completed
Georgia licensing staff conducted this many inspections of licensed centers, family child care learning homes, and license-exempt programs during federal fiscal year 2024.
Source: Georgia DECAL Quality Progress Report, FFY 2024 ↗5.7%
of Georgia residents were under age 5
Georgia’s July 1, 2025 population estimate was 11,302,748, with 5.7% of residents under age 5.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2025 estimate ↗How to read these statistics
Market-rate figures describe reported prices, not what every family pays. Costs vary by a child’s age, location, schedule, provider type, and available assistance. The Georgia market-rate study notes that smaller rate categories may not represent the full market, so use the figures as a statewide reference point and confirm current tuition directly with a program.
Industry and inspection figures are statewide measures. They help show the wider context around early learning, but they do not rate or compare any individual program.
Sources and methodology
This page uses public information from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the U.S. Census Bureau. Figures remain tied to their original reporting period so readers can distinguish current population estimates from the latest available 2024 and 2023 child care reports.
- Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Economic Impact Studies ↗, 2022–2024 report.
- Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Georgia Child Care Market Rate Data ↗, October 2023 data, published May 2024.
- Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Quality Progress Report ↗, federal fiscal year 2024.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Georgia ↗, July 1, 2025 population estimate.
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