Special Report
The Least Educated Counties in the United States
Published:
Last Updated:
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. But across the United States, there are counties and county equivalents where fewer than one in every 10 adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least educated counties in the United States. All but a handful of counties and county equivalents on this list are located in the South.
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 the vast majority of the counties and county equivalents on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is higher than the comparable national rate of 4.4%.
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 also tend to be lower than average. In all but one county on this list, the typical household earns less in a year than the national median household income of $62,843.
Click here to see the least educated counties in the United States.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Newton County, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,526 — 732nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,614 — 2,600th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% — 2,916th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,914
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49. Lincoln County, Arkansas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,385 — 423rd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,769 — 2,221st lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.1% — 209th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% — 1,809th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,455
24/7 Wall St.
48. Wayne County, Tennessee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,170 — 213th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,545 — 2,435th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.7% — 2,528th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% — 1,809th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 16,693
47. Liberty County, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,844 — 2,479th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,114 — 2,485th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% — 2,441st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.7% — 611th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 83,702
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46. Greene County, Mississippi
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,283 — 976th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $62,863 — 2,876th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.1% — 2,956th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,645
45. Mitchell County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,209 — 279th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,659 — 2,605th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.2% — 2,978th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.7% — 2,952nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 22,244
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44. Boone County, West Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,864 — 1,671st lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,500 — 2,032nd lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.4% — 2,920th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 22,368
24/7 Wall St.
43. Holmes County, Ohio
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,158 — 1,737th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,862 — 1,315th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.7% — 165th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% — 678th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 43,901
42. Wayne County, Missouri
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,380 — 90th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,298 — 270th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.2% — 2,275th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2% — 2,987th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,195
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41. Assumption Parish, Louisiana
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,998 — 2,495th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,167 — 2,128th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% — 2,404th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 22,478
40. Calhoun County, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,656 — 484th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,717 — 923rd lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.3% — 2,023rd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 14,362
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39. Magoffin County, Kentucky
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,510 — 457th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,844 — 393rd lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 13.2% — 3,006th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% — 678th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 12,491
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38. Morgan County, Tennessee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,834 — 831st lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,611 — 2,526th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% — 2,311th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% — 1,118th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 21,545
37. Lake County, Tennessee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,000 — 200th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,750 — 378th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.7% — 2,795th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 7,401
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36. Wyoming County, West Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,440 — 1,027th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $34,904 — 157th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.4% — 2,984th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.4% — 2,569th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 21,281
35. Scott County, Arkansas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,063 — 126th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,667 — 226th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% — 2,691st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 10,376
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34. Allendale County, South Carolina
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,099 — 130th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,545 — 468th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.9% — 3,008th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 9,024
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33. Clay County, West Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $24,489 — 31st lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $26,528 — 15th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.0% — 2,656th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 8,709
32. Union County, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,743 — 243rd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,127 — 258th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% — 2,404th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.2% — 386th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 15,303
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31. Scott County, Tennessee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,554 — 743rd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,238 — 1,724th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.3% — 2,500th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% — 971st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 21,969
30. Bell County, Kentucky
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $21,921 — 9th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $34,423 — 139th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.3% — 2,892nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.9% — 745th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 26,791
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29. Greensville County, Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,111 — 132nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,457 — 459th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.9% — 1,451st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 11,525
28. Johnson County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,762 — 806th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $31,516 — 60th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.3% — 2,857th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% — 2,667th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 9,691
27. Calhoun County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,354 — 50th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $29,286 — 28th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 13.8% — 2,978th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% — 1,897th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 6,365
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26. Lewis County, Kentucky
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,119 — 377th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,083 — 253rd lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.5% — 1,638th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% — 1,391st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,417
25. Crowley County, Colorado
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,078 — 80th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A — N/A lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 14.0% — 3,000th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% — 2,140th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 5,754
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24. Lincoln County, West Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,801 — 1,108th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,750 — 1,120th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% — 1,740th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 20,850
23. Morrow County, Oregon
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,980 — 1,700th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $48,056 — 1,847th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% — 1,515th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.7% — 611th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 11,303
22. Hickory County, Missouri
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $22,703 — 14th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A — N/A lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.2% — 2,225th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.3% — 2,967th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 9,404
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21. Bee County, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,634 — 318th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,700 — 2,536th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.1% — 2,671st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% — 2,635th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 32,611
20. Chattooga County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,280 — 653rd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,898 — 947th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% — 1,864th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.0% — 816th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 24,812
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19. Marlboro County, South Carolina
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,737 — 182nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,602 — 174th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.9% — 2,960th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.6% — 570th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 26,753
18. Nicholas County, Kentucky
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,217 — 641st lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,022 — 1,170th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.2% — 2,023rd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% — 1,897th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 7,153
17. Bollinger County, Missouri
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,483 — 448th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,091 — 416th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.9% — 926th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 12,225
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16. Willacy County, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $24,450 — 30th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,842 — 1,137th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.2% — 2,991st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% — 2,635th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 21,588
15. Brantley County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,055 — 894th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,688 — 2,534th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% — 1,968th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7% — 2,977th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 18,756
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14. Charlton County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,674 — 177th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,278 — 1,387th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.8% — 2,960th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8% — 3,007th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Population: 13,040
13. Macon County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,431 — 302nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,031 — 249th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.0% — 2,949th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2% — 2,987th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 13,305
12. Heard County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,059 — 1,158th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,962 — 1,512th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.9% — 1,638th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.4% — 465th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 11,736
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11. Leslie County, Kentucky
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,598 — 470th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,521 — 563rd lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.6% — 2,857th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 10,283
10. Telfair County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,057 — 1,156th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,962 — 1,331st lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.5% — 142nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 16,035
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9. Hancock County, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,215 — 143rd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: N/A — N/A lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.0% — 502nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 8,515
8. Grant Parish, Louisiana
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,768 — 104th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,000 — 2,098th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% — 1,392nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% — 1,498th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 22,340
7. Taylor County, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,658 — 176th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $32,721 — 101st lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.0% — 2,023rd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.6% — 2,992nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Population: 21,870
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6. Hendry County, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,887 — 74th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,276 — 543rd lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.7% — 2,548th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.3% — 2,528th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 40,732
5. Lauderdale County, Tennessee
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,680 — 784th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,000 — 519th lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.9% — 2,671st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% — 1,391st lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 25,989
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4. Winkler County, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $42,075 — 2,613th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $58,750 — 2,771st lowest of 3,013 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.2% — 745th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% — 2,140th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 7,867
3. Forest County, Pennsylvania
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $18,463 — 2nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $24,583 — 9th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.6% — 1,284th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% — 2,332nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 7,313
2. Hamilton County, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,351 — 49th lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,348 — 275th lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.2% — 2,949th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.9% — 2,711th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 14,326
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1. McDowell County, West Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,606 — 62nd lowest of 3,022 counties
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,398 — 452nd lowest of 3,013 counties
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.2% — 2,972nd lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% — 1,498th lowest of 3,022 counties (tied)
> Population: 18,661
Methodology
To determine America’s least educated counties, 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, 3,142 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
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 3,022 counties were ranked based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on median household income, 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 are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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