New data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates more than 6,000 fewer Nebraska children are living in poverty.

The numbers come as part of the annual U.S. Census Bureau 2014 American Community Survey. Groups included in the broad decrease were children under age 6 as well as black and Hispanic children. Overall, Nebraska child poverty fell 1.5 percent, from 17.7 percent in 2013 to 16.2 percent in 2014.

“We’re stronger as a state when all our families can meet the basic needs of their children and these new numbers show Nebraska is moving in the right direction,” said Voices for Children Executive Director Carolyn Rooker.

Despite the decline, Nebraska is still above its pre-recession child poverty figure of 15.2 percent and 74,414 Nebraska children still live in poverty. Additionally, previous racial disparities remain present in the newly released data with 45.5 percent of black children and 29.5 percent of Hispanic children living in poverty.