OBJECTIVES: Previous studies show a high prevalence of asthma and poor control among certain subgroups of children. However, the relationship remains poorly understood. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of children with and without asthma (aged 6-17) in the nationally representative 2007-2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Outcomes included asthma prevalence; asthma-specific (AS) Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient (IP) visits and expenditures; and indicators of asthma control (self-reported exacerbations or use of ≥3 rescue inhaler canisters /3 months). Negative binomial regression analyses were used for ED and IP visits; Generalized Linear Models with log-link for healthcare expenditures; and logistic regression for asthma control indicators. Regressions controlled for comprehensive socio-demographics. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Asian, Mexican and Hispanic-Central/South American children were less likely and Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Multiple Race and Hispanic-Puerto Rican children more likely to have asthma. Among children with asthma, the following appeared to have increased ED/IP use and/or indicators of poor control: Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Asian, Non-Hispanic Multiple Race, Hispanic-Mexican and Hispanic-Puerto Rican. For example, compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks incurred greater ED and IP visits (IRR=3.3, 34.8; p<0.05). Non-Hispanic Blacks and Non-Hispanic Asians with asthma had higher AS medical, ED and IP expenditures than Non-Hispanic Whites with asthma. The following children had greater odds of overusing rescue inhalers (compared to Non-Hispanic White): Non-Hispanic Black (2.4), Non-Hispanic Asian (7.5), Hispanic-Mexican (3.3) and Hispanic-Puerto Rican (3.2) (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma and poor asthma control is prevalent among certain subgroups of children based on ethnicity and/or race in the U.S.