College enrollment has declined steadily in the United States in recent years. With rising tuition costs and surging student debt, enrollment rates have fallen at an average of nearly 2% a year since 2010. While four years of higher education may not be for everyone, Americans without a bachelor’s degree tend to be far more limited in their career opportunities, job security, and earning potential.
Nationwide, an estimated 32.1% of American adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational attainment rates vary considerably across the country, however, and in nearly every state, there is at least one county or county equivalent where the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is well below the national average.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least educated county or county equivalent in every state.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among adults with a four-year college education was 5.5% 2020. Meanwhile, the jobless rate among those with no more than a high school diploma was 9.0%. In most of the counties and county equivalents on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is higher than the comparable rate across the state as a whole.
In addition to being better protected from unemployment, Americans with a bachelor’s degree also tend to have higher salaries. The average weekly wage for a college-educated worker in the United States is about 67% higher than it is for those with no more than a high school diploma. And in places with low educational attainment, incomes tend to be lower than average. In all but two counties or county equivalents on this list, the typical household earns less in a year than the statewide median household income.
Click here to see the least educated county in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Alabama: Bibb County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.4% (Alabama: 25.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,789 (Alabama: $36,567)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,688 (Alabama: $50,516)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.9% (Alabama: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Alabama: 2.1%)
> Population: 22,493
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Alaska: Aleutians East Borough
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5% (Alaska: 29.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,445 (Alaska: $46,748)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,000 (Alaska: $57,703)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% (Alaska: 5.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Alaska: 2.2%)
> Population: 3,385
Arizona: La Paz County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.0% (Arizona: 29.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,852 (Arizona: $38,470)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,871 (Arizona: $52,892)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.2% (Arizona: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.5% (Arizona: 2.7%)
> Population: 20,793
Arkansas: Scott County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.3% (Arkansas: 23.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,063 (Arkansas: $34,326)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,667 (Arkansas: $47,466)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% (Arkansas: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Arkansas: 1.8%)
> Population: 10,376
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California: Lassen County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.9% (California: 33.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,866 (California: $42,682)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,327 (California: $63,230)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.2% (California: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.2% (California: 3.4%)
> Population: 30,818
Colorado: Crowley County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0% (Colorado: 40.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,078 (Colorado: $44,317)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A (Colorado: $54,487)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 14.0% (Colorado: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (Colorado: 2.5%)
> Population: 5,754
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Connecticut: Windham County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.3% (Connecticut: 39.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $42,816 (Connecticut: $50,752)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,880 (Connecticut: $64,843)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.8% (Connecticut: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.2% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
> Population: 116,566
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Delaware: Kent County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.7% (Delaware: 32.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $38,789 (Delaware: $42,893)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,234 (Delaware: $57,420)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.1% (Delaware: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Delaware: 2.7%)
> Population: 176,699
Florida: Hamilton County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.9% (Florida: 29.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,351 (Florida: $35,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,348 (Florida: $47,440)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.2% (Florida: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.9% (Florida: 2.9%)
> Population: 14,326
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Georgia: Hancock County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.6% (Georgia: 31.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,215 (Georgia: $38,822)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A (Georgia: $53,783)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.0% (Georgia: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Georgia: 2.6%)
> Population: 8,515
Hawaii: Maui County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.2% (Hawaii: 33.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,866 (Hawaii: $42,588)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $48,361 (Hawaii: $51,652)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Hawaii: 2.0%)
> Population: 165,979
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Idaho: Lincoln County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3% (Idaho: 27.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,679 (Idaho: $35,182)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,750 (Idaho: $45,248)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.3% (Idaho: 3.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.3% (Idaho: 2.1%)
> Population: 5,350
Illinois: Hardin County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8% (Illinois: 34.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,212 (Illinois: $43,390)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A (Illinois: $58,803)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.8% (Illinois: 4.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.8% (Illinois: 2.7%)
> Population: 3,939
Indiana: Crawford County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3% (Indiana: 26.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,989 (Indiana: $38,842)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,000 (Indiana: $50,751)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Indiana: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Indiana: 1.9%)
> Population: 10,569
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Iowa: Wayne County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.7% (Iowa: 28.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,515 (Iowa: $40,729)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $48,241 (Iowa: $51,947)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.6% (Iowa: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Iowa: 1.4%)
> Population: 6,429
Kansas: Seward County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.0% (Kansas: 33.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,373 (Kansas: $40,100)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,608 (Kansas: $50,394)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Kansas: 3.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.7% (Kansas: 1.7%)
> Population: 22,349
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Kentucky: Leslie County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.7% (Kentucky: 24.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,598 (Kentucky: $36,832)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,521 (Kentucky: $49,743)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.6% (Kentucky: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Kentucky: 2.1%)
> Population: 10,283
Louisiana: Grant Parish
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.5% (Louisiana: 24.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,768 (Louisiana: $37,323)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,000 (Louisiana: $50,018)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Louisiana: 5.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Louisiana: 2.4%)
> Population: 22,340
Maine: Somerset County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.5% (Maine: 31.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,274 (Maine: $38,146)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,397 (Maine: $45,866)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.3% (Maine: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.1% (Maine: 1.6%)
> Population: 50,520
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Maryland: Somerset County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.4% (Maryland: 40.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,203 (Maryland: $51,811)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $32,961 (Maryland: $64,348)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.1% (Maryland: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.0% (Maryland: 2.4%)
> Population: 25,729
Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.1% (Massachusetts: 43.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,776 (Massachusetts: $51,928)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,928 (Massachusetts: $63,834)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% (Massachusetts: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Massachusetts: 2.5%)
> Population: 467,871
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Michigan: Oscoda County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.6% (Michigan: 29.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,272 (Michigan: $39,351)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $28,482 (Michigan: $53,617)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% (Michigan: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.9% (Michigan: 2.3%)
> Population: 8,248
Minnesota: Mahnomen County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.2% (Minnesota: 36.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,202 (Minnesota: $45,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,693 (Minnesota: $58,085)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.1% (Minnesota: 3.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% (Minnesota: 1.7%)
> Population: 5,501
Mississippi: Greene County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7% (Mississippi: 22.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,283 (Mississippi: $32,892)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $62,863 (Mississippi: $43,511)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.1% (Mississippi: 6.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Mississippi: 2.8%)
> Population: 13,645
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Missouri: Bollinger County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9% (Missouri: 29.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,483 (Missouri: $38,322)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,091 (Missouri: $50,042)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.9% (Missouri: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Missouri: 1.9%)
> Population: 12,225
Montana: Liberty County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.2% (Montana: 32.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,978 (Montana: $35,249)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $27,273 (Montana: $42,388)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 0.0% reported (Montana: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Montana: 2.0%)
> Population: 2,351
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Nebraska: Dakota County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.0% (Nebraska: 31.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,150 (Nebraska: $40,341)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,000 (Nebraska: $50,424)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.6% (Nebraska: 2.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.9% (Nebraska: 1.4%)
> Population: 20,173
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Nevada: Nye County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.7% (Nevada: 24.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,655 (Nevada: $37,865)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,729 (Nevada: $49,770)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Nevada: 3.4%)
> Population: 44,380
New Hampshire: Coos County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.2% (New Hampshire: 37.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,218 (New Hampshire: $46,221)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,342 (New Hampshire: $57,385)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.5% (New Hampshire: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.0% (New Hampshire: 1.9%)
> Population: 31,741
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New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.6% (New Jersey: 39.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,481 (New Jersey: $51,195)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $55,166 (New Jersey: $66,241)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.9% (New Jersey: 4.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.1% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
> Population: 151,906
New Mexico: McKinley County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.4% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,757 (New Mexico: $33,514)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,667 (New Mexico: $45,594)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.9% (New Mexico: 5.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% (New Mexico: 2.9%)
> Population: 72,438
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New York: Orleans County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.2% (New York: 36.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,904 (New York: $45,479)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,897 (New York: $61,606)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.0% (New York: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (New York: 2.9%)
> Population: 40,904
North Carolina: Greene County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.0% (North Carolina: 31.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,036 (North Carolina: $37,443)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,046 (North Carolina: $50,523)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.7% (North Carolina: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.9% (North Carolina: 2.4%)
> Population: 21,033
North Dakota: Hettinger County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.0% (North Dakota: 30.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,842 (North Dakota: $43,752)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,500 (North Dakota: $51,227)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.2% (North Dakota: 2.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (North Dakota: 0.9%)
> Population: 2,547
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Ohio: Holmes County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7% (Ohio: 28.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,158 (Ohio: $39,722)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,862 (Ohio: $53,703)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.7% (Ohio: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% (Ohio: 2.0%)
> Population: 43,901
Oklahoma: Nowata County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5% (Oklahoma: 25.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,978 (Oklahoma: $36,575)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,375 (Oklahoma: $47,016)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.9% (Oklahoma: 4.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (Oklahoma: 1.9%)
> Population: 10,322
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Oregon: Morrow County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0% (Oregon: 33.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,980 (Oregon: $39,212)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $48,056 (Oregon: $51,224)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% (Oregon: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.7% (Oregon: 2.7%)
> Population: 11,303
Pennsylvania: Forest County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1% (Pennsylvania: 31.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $18,463 (Pennsylvania: $41,947)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $24,583 (Pennsylvania: $54,358)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% (Pennsylvania: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% (Pennsylvania: 2.4%)
> Population: 7,313
Rhode Island: Providence County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.0% (Rhode Island: 34.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $42,478 (Rhode Island: $45,211)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,750 (Rhode Island: $56,642)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% (Rhode Island: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (Rhode Island: 2.6%)
> Population: 635,737
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South Carolina: Marlboro County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9% (South Carolina: 28.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,737 (South Carolina: $36,088)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,602 (South Carolina: $49,440)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.9% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.6% (South Carolina: 2.2%)
> Population: 26,753
South Dakota: Oglala Lakota County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.4% (South Dakota: 28.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,996 (South Dakota: $37,880)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,770 (South Dakota: $45,948)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 17.2% (South Dakota: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (South Dakota: 1.0%)
> Population: 14,335
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Tennessee: Lauderdale County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3% (Tennessee: 27.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,680 (Tennessee: $36,823)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,000 (Tennessee: $49,236)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.9% (Tennessee: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Tennessee: 2.2%)
> Population: 25,989
Texas: Winkler County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2% (Texas: 29.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $42,075 (Texas: $40,031)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $58,750 (Texas: $56,363)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.2% (Texas: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (Texas: 2.7%)
> Population: 7,867
Utah: Duchesne County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.7% (Utah: 34.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,437 (Utah: $40,735)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,460 (Utah: $50,195)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.9% (Utah: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.6% (Utah: 1.8%)
> Population: 20,148
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Vermont: Essex County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.2% (Vermont: 38.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,340 (Vermont: $40,321)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,104 (Vermont: $44,606)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.8% (Vermont: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% (Vermont: 2.0%)
> Population: 6,200
Virginia: Greensville County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2% (Virginia: 38.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,111 (Virginia: $46,012)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,457 (Virginia: $60,520)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.9% (Virginia: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Virginia: 2.3%)
> Population: 11,525
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Washington: Adams County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.3% (Washington: 36.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,930 (Washington: $46,263)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,875 (Washington: $61,735)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.5% (Washington: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.2% (Washington: 2.5%)
> Population: 19,594
West Virginia: McDowell County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.4% (West Virginia: 20.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,606 (West Virginia: $34,438)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,398 (West Virginia: $44,906)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.2% (West Virginia: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (West Virginia: 2.2%)
> Population: 18,661
Wisconsin: Clark County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.6% (Wisconsin: 30.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,851 (Wisconsin: $41,628)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,056 (Wisconsin: $52,686)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.4% (Wisconsin: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.3% (Wisconsin: 1.5%)
> Population: 34,579
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Wyoming: Uinta County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.0% (Wyoming: 27.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,437 (Wyoming: $40,825)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,607 (Wyoming: $49,141)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.5% (Wyoming: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (Wyoming: 1.9%)
> Population: 20,479
Methodology
To determine the least educated county in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
Of the 3,220 counties or county equivalents, 3,141 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
Counties were excluded if bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rates were not available in the 2019 ACS, if the county’s 25 and older population was less than 1,000, or if the sampling error associated with a county’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a county’s bachelor’s or higher attainment rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all counties’ bachelor’s or higher attainment rate. We similarly excluded counties that had a sampling error too high for their 25 and over population estimates, using the same definition.
The remaining 3,021 counties were ranked within their state based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on the median earnings for adults 25 and over with earnings that hold a bachelor’s degree, median earnings for adults 25 and over with earnings for all levels of educational attainment, unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population that have at least a bachelor’s degree, unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population for all educational attainment levels, and population totals are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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