Results indicated no significant association between type of family structure and youth well-being for Black youth. On the other hand, several community factors--neighborhood quality, residential stability, and school quality--were significantly associated with measures of well-being for Black youth. Results for White youth indicated that living in a cohabiting family structure was associated with a greater likelihood of repeating a grade, while living in either a cohabiting or single-parent household was associated with greater problem behaviors when compared to living with biological married parents. In terms of community factors, White youth who experienced residential instability were more likely to repeat a grade and White youth who lived in deprived neighborhoods were more likely to exhibit problem behaviors and depression. The findings suggest that community-level factors are a key influence in the well-being of youth in the United States. Data were drawn from the merged mother-young adult files of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) 1979 Cohort. The sample under analysis included 1,965 mothers and their 14 to 19-year-old children who completed the youth supplement portion of the NLSY in 1994, 1996, and 1998. Variables under analysis included grade retention, 16 child behavior problems such as lying to parents and damaging school property, depression, family structure, residential stability, neighborhood quality, and school quality. Data analysis involved the use of random effects regression models. Future research should focus on the impact of age differences in the influence of stepparents on children. Tables, references