This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of Minnesota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 12 indicators of child well-being: (1) children in poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) children born to teenage mothers; (5) children born at low birth weight; (6) children with school readiness problems; (7) children transferring schools; (8) children dropping out of school; (9) children arrested for serious crime; (10) children abused and neglected; (11) children in out-of-home placements; and (12) children dying from homicide, suicide and injuries. Following an introduction, the data book provides regional and statewide statistical summaries for each indicator, discusses the importance of the indicator, describes potential improvement strategies, provides information on resources related to the indicators, and describes Minnesota trends. Two stories are interspersed in this section to illustrate the results of Kids Count initiatives. The second section, and bulk of the report, provides data by county, including demographics, areas of positive improvement and concern, and trends to watch. Data are compared for 1991, 1995, and 1999, and data for individual counties are compared to the overall statewide data. (SD)