ADHD is a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms often overlap with common childhood behaviors, so it can be challenging to know what’s related to ADHD and what’s not.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or emotional dysregulation. This may look like:

  • being easily distracted or forgetful
  • difficulty focusing, completing tasks, or staying organized
  • difficulty sitting still, frequent fidgeting, or restlessness
  • talking excessively or out of turn

Although ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms must have appeared before age 12. Many children begin to display symptoms between the ages of 3 and 5.

Text-based infographic with five icons representing different ADHD statistics, including a maroon person in a group of gold individuals, a prescription pill bottle, a child and an adult walking together, a red lounge chair, and a human brain. The text reads: Approximately 1 in 9 U.S. children between the ages of 3 and 17 have received an ADHD diagnosis. About 5 out of every 100 children with ADHD are currently prescribed medication to treat it. Up to 90% of children living with ADHD go on to experience symptoms in adulthood. Approximately 1 in 16 U.S. adults have received an ADHD diagnosis. More than half received the diagnosis in adulthood. About one out of every three adults with ADHD currently takes a stimulant medication.Share on Pinterest
Illustrated by Jason Hoffman

There are demographic factors that impact the likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD.

For example, men and boys are more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than people of other genders. Experts suggest this could be due to differences in symptom expression and identification.

As a result, women and people with expansive gender identities are more likely to receive a diagnosis later in life.

Children living in households where English is the primary language are more than four times as likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis compared to children living in households where English is the second language.

And children living in households that make less than two times the federal poverty level have a higher probability than children living in higher-income households.

According to data from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), ADHD is diagnosed in:

  • 12% of Black children
  • 12% of white children
  • 10% of American Indian/Alaska Native children
  • 6% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander children
  • 4% of Asian children

Overall, non-Hispanic children (12%) received a diagnosis at a slightly higher rate than Hispanic children (10%).

On the rise

ADHD diagnoses have increased in the past several years. More research is needed to determine whether this is due to increased awareness of the condition, improved access to healthcare, changes in how ADHD is defined, or other factors.

Approximately 11.4% of U.S. children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD in 2022. This is a slight increase from the 10.2% reported in 2016.

A retrospective cohort study published in January 2025 found that adult ADHD diagnoses decreased by around 11% from 2016 to 2020. However, diagnoses increased 15% from 2020 to 2023.

50 states

According to data collected from 2016 to 2019, Western states have the lowest rates of ADHD diagnoses among children ages 3 to 17. California has the lowest rates.

States in the South and Midwest seem to have the highest rates. Mississippi has the highest rate overall.

Lowest rates:

  • California: 5.3%
  • Nevada: 5.7%
  • Hawaii: 5.8%
  • New York: 6%
  • South Dakota: 6.7%

Highest rates:

  • Mississippi: 14.4%
  • Louisiana: 14%
  • West Virginia: 12.9%
  • Alabama: 12.1%
  • Kentucky: 12%

According to data collected from 2016 to 2019, Northern states have the highest rates of ADHD treatment among children ages 3 to 17.

Nebraska has the highest overall rate of any ADHD treatment. This includes one or more of the following:

  • behavioral treatment
  • medication
  • mental health treatment

Nevada has the lowest overall rate of any ADHD treatment; however, it’s important to note that this figure is just over 65%, meaning over half of the children living with ADHD in Nevada are receiving some form of treatment.

Highest rate of medication for ADHD:

  • Nebraska: 81.4%
  • Alabama: 77%
  • Delaware: 75.4%
  • Louisiana: 73.9%
  • Mississippi: 73.8%

Lowest rate of medication for ADHD:

  • Nevada: 37.8%
  • New Jersey: 41.1%
  • District of Columbia: 45.9%
  • California: 46.4%
  • Washington: 47.9%

ADHD doesn’t increase a person’s risk for other conditions or diseases.

But some people with ADHD — especially children — are more likely to experience a range of coexisting conditions. They can sometimes make social situations more difficult or school more challenging.

Some possible coexisting conditions include:

  • learning disabilities
  • conduct disorders and difficulties, including antisocial behavior, fighting, and oppositional defiant disorder
  • anxiety disorder
  • depression
  • bipolar disorder
  • sleep disorders
  • Tourette syndrome
  • substance misuse

Cost is a major factor in how a condition affects someone. Treatment plans and medications can be expensive, and planning around payment can be stressful.

A study from 2007 suggested that the “cost of illness” for a person with ADHD is $14,576 each year. That means ADHD costs people in the U.S. $42.5 billion each year — and that’s on the lower end of estimates.

Medicines and treatments aren’t the only costs to consider when living with ADHD. Other factors that can add cost include:

  • education expenses
  • loss of work
  • juvenile justice
  • healthcare costs

ADHD is more common than many people realize, and the numbers are still going up. Learning the basics — like who it affects and how it’s treated — can make a big difference in understanding and supporting those who live with it.