Data reveal a pattern of continued growth in custodial facilities, staff, and expenditures, but a slowly diminishing resident population for the 1970's. Most of the population decline occurred among status offenders, particularly girls, indicating progress toward the goal of deinstitutionalization of nondelinquents. This decline was somewhat offset by an increase in the number of juveniles held as delinquents. Overall custody rates remained fairly level throughout, with an average rate of 247 per 100,000 age-relevant youth. Approximately 20 percent of juveniles in custody resided in short-term (preadjudication) facilities, with the remainder in long-term (postadjudication) residences. Rapid growth in group homes and community-oriented residences was a principal feature of the juvenile custody system during the period studied. Results suggest that trends are consistent with deinstitutionalization and least-restrictive environment goals. Appendixes provide extensive tabular data, methodological information, and a glossary.