Runaway Statistics and Resouces

Click here to download a printable Runaway Resource Guide.

Runaway Statistics and Resources

Compiled by Michael Kennon
Author of “Memoirs of a Runaway”

According to Runawayteens.org and 1800runaway.org, "one in
seven kids between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away at some
point. There are 1 million to 3 million runaway and homeless
kids living on the streets in the United States."

Motivations for running away:
• 47% of runaway/homeless youth indicated that conflict between them and their parent
or guardian was a major problem.
• Over 50% of youth in shelters and on the streets reported that their parents either told
them to leave or knew they were leaving but did not care.
• 80% of runaway and homeless girls reported having been sexually or physically abused.
* 34% of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported sexual abuse before leaving home and
43% percent of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported physical abuse before
leaving home.
• Childhood abuse increases youths' risk for later victimization on the street. Physical
abuse is associated with elevated risk of assaults for runaway and homeless youth, while
sexual abuse is associated with higher risk of rape for runaway and homeless youth.
Risk factors associated with running away:
• Over 70% of runaway and throwaway youth in 2002 were estimated to be endangered,
based on 17 indicators of harm or potential risk. The most common endangerment
component was physical or sexual abuse at home or fear of abuse upon return. The
second most common endangerment component was the youth’s substance
dependency.
• 12% of runaway and homeless youth spent at least one night outside, in a park, on the
street, under a bridge or overhang, or on a rooftop.
• 7% of youth in runaway and homeless youth shelters and 14% of youth on the street had
traded sex for money, food, shelter, or drugs in the last twelve months when surveyed in
1995.
• 32% of runaway and homeless youth have attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
• Approximately 48.2% of youth living on the street and 33.2% of youth living in a shelter
reported having been pregnant.
• 50% of homeless youth age 16 or older reported having dropped out of school, having
been expelled, or having been suspended.
Demographics of runaways:
• Runaway youth are 50% male and 50% female, although females are more likely to seek
help through shelters and hotlines.
• 40% of youth in shelters and on the street have come from families that received public
assistance or lived in publicly assisted housing.