ST. PAUL — Minnesota has ranked among the states that best care for their youngest residents.

The annual report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation gauges the well-being of the nation’s children. It focuses on six indicators, including economic well-being, education, health and family and community.

The KIDS COUNT data book ranks Minnesota fifth in the nation. But the report also found the state has some of the worst disparities in the country. Nearly half of Minnesota’s black children live in poverty.

A director of the Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota says high poverty areas are often less safe and offer fewer resources.

The KIDS COUNT report used data from 2012. It determined 15 percent of Minnesota children are living in poverty.