Texas’ healthcare disparities and lackluster public education make it a difficult place to raise kids, according to a new analysis. Credit: Unsplash / Xavier Mouton Photographie

Texas is the fifth-worst U.S. state in which to raise children, according to a study published this week by nanny recruitment agency Go Au Pair.

Go Au Pair compared all 50 states using 23 metrics related to education, childcare, healthcare, safety, affordability and recreation.

Although the Lone Star State performed well in some categories, namely affordability, it failed miserably in healthcare-driven metrics and also ranked poorly in education.

To the first point, Texas has less than one pediatrician per 100,000 children, and 11% of its kids lack health insurance — the nation’s highest rate. Another 12.4% of Lone Star State respondents to a survey accompanying the study said they struggle to afford healthcare.

The quality of Texas’ public school system also rates below average, according to the report. Texas has just 12 public schools for every 100,000 kids. In contrast, No. 1-ranked Vermont boasts 26 schools per 100,000 children.

The ranking comes after CNBC gave Texas an “F” grade for quality of life in its annual Best for Business rankings due to the state’s weakness in healthcare access. Texas has the highest uninsured rate at 16.7%, the fewest primary care physicians per capita and restrictive reproductive rights.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...