In 1947, 30 years after Mississippi became the last state in the country to pass compulsory education laws, less than one in three American adults had a high school diploma. Today, a high school education is a given for the vast majority of Americans, and barely one in 10 American adults lack a diploma.

Despite the progress, educational attainment is far from even across the country. Though a high school diploma is a prerequisite for most jobs — and for nearly all high-salary positions — there are some parts of the country where more than one-third of Americans have not completed high school.

Click here to see the county with the fewest high school graduates in every state.
Click here to see the county with the most high school graduates in every state.

While every state has some attendance laws, requirements differ, with some making attendance compulsory through the age of 19, while others allow students to drop out at 17 or, in one case, after they have completed just eighth grade.

People drop out of high school for many different reasons. Among the most of common reasons are the need to support their family financially, pregnancy, drug use, or simply frustration after repeatedly failing classes or getting held back. These factors often depend on regional socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and crime. This means that in many states there is at least one county where at least 30% of adults do not have a high school diploma.

These are the counties where the fewest people have graduated from high school.

To determine the county where the fewest people have graduated high school, 24/7 Wall St. considered data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. All data listed, including average incomes based on educational attainment, are from the ACS, and are for five year periods ending in 2016.

1. Alabama: Bullock County
> Adults in Bullock County with at least a HS diploma: 66.6% (3,111 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alabama with at least a HS diploma: 85.1% (5th lowest)
> Adults in Bullock County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,289
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,483

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2. Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
> Adults in Kusilvak Census Area with at least a HS diploma: 78.4% (2,693 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alaska with at least a HS diploma: 93.1% (2nd highest)
> Adults in Kusilvak Census Area with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $7,976
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $15,363

3. Arizona: Yuma County
> Adults in Yuma County with at least a HS diploma: 71.7% (3,051 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arizona with at least a HS diploma: 86.7% (14th lowest)
> Adults in Yuma County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,738
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,235

4. Arkansas: Lee County
> Adults in Lee County with at least a HS diploma: 69.3% (3,083 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arkansas with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in Lee County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,382
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,147

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5. California: Imperial County
> Adults in Imperial County with at least a HS diploma: 67.0% (3,108 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in California with at least a HS diploma: 82.4% (the lowest)
> Adults in Imperial County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,132
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $26,566

6. Colorado: Costilla County
> Adults in Costilla County with at least a HS diploma: 77.0% (2,824 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Colorado with at least a HS diploma: 91.4% (13th highest)
> Adults in Costilla County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,143
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,281

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7. Connecticut: Windham County
> Adults in Windham County with at least a HS diploma: 88.1% (1,384 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Connecticut with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (17th highest)
> Adults in Windham County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,625
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,478

8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Adults in Sussex County with at least a HS diploma: 86.2% (1,743 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Delaware with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Sussex County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,355
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,361

9. Florida: Hendry County
> Adults in Hendry County with at least a HS diploma: 62.9% (3,128 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Florida with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (17th lowest)
> Adults in Hendry County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,757
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,776

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10. Georgia: Stewart County
> Adults in Stewart County with at least a HS diploma: 62.1% (3,130 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Georgia with at least a HS diploma: 86.4% (12th lowest)
> Adults in Stewart County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,695
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,266

11. Hawaii: Kalawao County
> Adults in Kalawao County with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (830 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Hawaii with at least a HS diploma: 92.0% (9th highest)
> Adults in Kalawao County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,750
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: N/A

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12. Idaho: Clark County
> Adults in Clark County with at least a HS diploma: 69.5% (3,079 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Idaho with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Clark County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,271
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,345

13. Illinois: Alexander County
> Adults in Alexander County with at least a HS diploma: 75.0% (2,953 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Illinois with at least a HS diploma: 88.8% (21st lowest)
> Adults in Alexander County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,260
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,635

14. Indiana: LaGrange County
> Adults in LaGrange County with at least a HS diploma: 64.3% (3,121 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Indiana with at least a HS diploma: 88.4% (19th lowest)
> Adults in LaGrange County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $38,235
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,178

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15. Iowa: Buena Vista County
> Adults in Buena Vista County with at least a HS diploma: 78.2% (2,717 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Iowa with at least a HS diploma: 91.8% (11th highest)
> Adults in Buena Vista County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,750
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,863

16. Kansas: Seward County
> Adults in Seward County with at least a HS diploma: 65.3% (3,117 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kansas with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (17th highest)
> Adults in Seward County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $24,997
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,799

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17. Kentucky: Clay County
> Adults in Clay County with at least a HS diploma: 63.7% (3,123 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kentucky with at least a HS diploma: 85.7% (7th lowest)
> Adults in Clay County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,476
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,711

18. Louisiana: East Carroll Parish
> Adults in East Carroll Parish with at least a HS diploma: 70.4% (3,071 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Louisiana with at least a HS diploma: 84.4% (4th lowest)
> Adults in East Carroll Parish with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $13,846
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,494

19. Maine: Aroostook County
> Adults in Aroostook County with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (1,537 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maine with at least a HS diploma: 92.3% (7th highest)
> Adults in Aroostook County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,224
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,081

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20. Maryland: Somerset County
> Adults in Somerset County with at least a HS diploma: 79.2% (2,614 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maryland with at least a HS diploma: 90.1% (23rd highest)
> Adults in Somerset County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,208
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,843

21. Massachusetts: Bristol County
> Adults in Bristol County with at least a HS diploma: 83.7% (2,099 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Massachusetts with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Bristol County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,527
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,146

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22. Michigan: Lake County
> Adults in Lake County with at least a HS diploma: 82.1% (2,318 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Michigan with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Lake County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,429
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,095

23. Minnesota: Nobles County
> Adults in Nobles County with at least a HS diploma: 77.3% (2,797 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Minnesota with at least a HS diploma: 92.9% (3rd highest)
> Adults in Nobles County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,904
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,283

24. Mississippi: Humphreys County
> Adults in Humphreys County with at least a HS diploma: 65.3% (3,117 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Mississippi with at least a HS diploma: 84.1% (3rd lowest)
> Adults in Humphreys County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,291
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,068

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25. Missouri: Mississippi County
> Adults in Mississippi County with at least a HS diploma: 72.8% (3,023 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Missouri with at least a HS diploma: 89.6% (25th lowest)
> Adults in Mississippi County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $10,994
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,038

26. Montana: Wheatland County
> Adults in Wheatland County with at least a HS diploma: 75.9% (2,901 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Montana with at least a HS diploma: 92.8% (4th highest)
> Adults in Wheatland County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,174
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,656

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27. Nebraska: Colfax County
> Adults in Colfax County with at least a HS diploma: 71.5% (3,055 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nebraska with at least a HS diploma: 90.9% (15th highest)
> Adults in Colfax County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $30,230
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,630

28. Nevada: Pershing County
> Adults in Pershing County with at least a HS diploma: 78.2% (2,717 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nevada with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in Pershing County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,603
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,470

29. New Hampshire: Coos County
> Adults in Coos County with at least a HS diploma: 87.9% (1,427 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Hampshire with at least a HS diploma: 92.8% (4th highest)
> Adults in Coos County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,161
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $26,180

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30. New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a HS diploma: 77.3% (2,797 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Jersey with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,484
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,056

31. New Mexico: Luna County
> Adults in Luna County with at least a HS diploma: 69.3% (3,083 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Mexico with at least a HS diploma: 85.4% (6th lowest)
> Adults in Luna County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $11,111
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,946

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32. New York: Bronx County
> Adults in Bronx County with at least a HS diploma: 71.2% (3,062 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New York with at least a HS diploma: 86.3% (11th lowest)
> Adults in Bronx County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,596
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,902

33. North Carolina: Duplin County
> Adults in Duplin County with at least a HS diploma: 72.0% (3,046 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 87.3% (16th lowest)
> Adults in Duplin County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,196
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,246

34. North Dakota: McIntosh County
> Adults in McIntosh County with at least a HS diploma: 81.6% (2,366 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 92.4% (6th highest)
> Adults in McIntosh County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,542
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,667

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35. Ohio: Holmes County
> Adults in Holmes County with at least a HS diploma: 58.5% (3,136 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Ohio with at least a HS diploma: 90.0% (25th highest)
> Adults in Holmes County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $32,360
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,774

36. Oklahoma: Texas County
> Adults in Texas County with at least a HS diploma: 71.7% (3,051 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oklahoma with at least a HS diploma: 87.8% (18th lowest)
> Adults in Texas County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,469
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,093

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37. Oregon: Morrow County
> Adults in Morrow County with at least a HS diploma: 75.1% (2,946 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oregon with at least a HS diploma: 90.3% (22nd highest)
> Adults in Morrow County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,542
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,362

38. Pennsylvania: Forest County
> Adults in Forest County with at least a HS diploma: 80.8% (2,436 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Pennsylvania with at least a HS diploma: 90.1% (23rd highest)
> Adults in Forest County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $13,453
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $15,217

39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Adults in Providence County with at least a HS diploma: 83.2% (2,176 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Rhode Island with at least a HS diploma: 88.5% (20th lowest)
> Adults in Providence County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,264
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,228

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40. South Carolina: Dillon County
> Adults in Dillon County with at least a HS diploma: 72.8% (3,023 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 86.6% (13th lowest)
> Adults in Dillon County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,843
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,600

41. South Dakota: Buffalo County
> Adults in Buffalo County with at least a HS diploma: 77.5% (2,779 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 91.2% (14th highest)
> Adults in Buffalo County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,778
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $17,778

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42. Tennessee: Lake County
> Adults in Lake County with at least a HS diploma: 73.1% (3,017 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Tennessee with at least a HS diploma: 87.0% (15th lowest)
> Adults in Lake County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,071
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,600

43. Texas: Starr County
> Adults in Starr County with at least a HS diploma: 48.5% (3,142 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Texas with at least a HS diploma: 82.9% (2nd lowest)
> Adults in Starr County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,865
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,276

44. Utah: Piute County
> Adults in Piute County with at least a HS diploma: 83.0% (2,207 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Utah with at least a HS diploma: 91.7% (12th highest)
> Adults in Piute County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,857

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45. Vermont: Essex County
> Adults in Essex County with at least a HS diploma: 84.3% (2,008 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Vermont with at least a HS diploma: 92.1% (8th highest)
> Adults in Essex County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,806
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,438

46. Virginia: Buchanan County
> Adults in Buchanan County with at least a HS diploma: 70.0% (3,075 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Buchanan County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,175
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,968

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47. Washington: Adams County
> Adults in Adams County with at least a HS diploma: 66.1% (3,114 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Washington with at least a HS diploma: 90.8% (16th highest)
> Adults in Adams County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,321
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,650

48. West Virginia: McDowell County
> Adults in McDowell County with at least a HS diploma: 64.9% (3,119 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in West Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in McDowell County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,304
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $22,931

49. Wisconsin: Clark County
> Adults in Clark County with at least a HS diploma: 81.6% (2,366 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wisconsin with at least a HS diploma: 91.9% (10th highest)
> Adults in Clark County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,635
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,222

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50. Wyoming: Washakie County
> Adults in Washakie County with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (1,537 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wyoming with at least a HS diploma: 93.2% (the highest)
> Adults in Washakie County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,276
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,242

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