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 ZIP codes where over 85% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most educated ZIP codes in the United States.
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 ZIP codes on this list — those with the highest bachelor’s degree attainment nationwide — the five-year average overall unemployment rate is below the comparable national rate of 5.3%.
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 well-educated populations, incomes tend to be higher than average. In nearly every ZIP code on this list, the typical household earns more in a year than the national median household income of $62,843
Click here to see the best educated zip codes in the country
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. 30346
> Location: Dunwoody, Georgia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 49.6% — 58th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $84,879 — 3,546th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.5% — 915th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 4,914
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49. 94304
> Location: Palo Alto, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 57.1% — 17th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $130,227 — 628th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 0.9% — 391st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,852
48. 94024
> Location: Los Altos, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 52.9% — 37th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.2% — 4,745th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 23,675
47. 94123
> Location: San Francisco, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 31.3% — 714th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $162,206 — 207th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.8% — 3,431st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 25,890
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46. 10014
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.2%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 40.4% — 231st highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $133,501 — 555th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.1% — 11,367th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 30,344
45. 22209
> Location: Arlington, Virginia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 47.0% — 90th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $110,050 — 1,321st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.3% — 8,737th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 13,227
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44. 78703
> Location: Austin, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 42.7% — 168th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $108,548 — 1,424th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.0% — 1,643rd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 20,407
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43. 02420
> Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.4%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 58.7% — 13th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $195,494 — 67th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.9% — 3,720th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 14,718
42. 20815
> Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 56.2% — 20th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $156,686 — 232nd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.7% — 3,152nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 30,664
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41. 94707
> Location: Berkeley, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.7%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 53.7% — 31st highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $154,184 — 261st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.3% — 5,101st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 11,767
40. 07046
> Location: Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.9%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 48.3% — 73rd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $242,083 — 11th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.4% — 9,066th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 4,305
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39. 19102
> Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 86.2%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 52.1% — 47th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $96,953 — 2,214th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.8% — 10,405th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 5,147
38. 10514
> Location: Chappaqua, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 86.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 52.2% — 43rd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.4% — 12,258th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 12,667
37. 92617
> Location: Irvine, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 86.8%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 61.4% — 2nd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $36,824 — 18,492nd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 7.4% — 16,372nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 17,197
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36. 77030
> Location: Houston, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 86.9%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 52.2% — 43rd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $90,075 — 2,889th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.3% — 11,960th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 11,229
35. 20008
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 86.9%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 56.8% — 19th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $116,250 — 1,059th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.4% — 5,461st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 29,292
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34. 60601
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.0%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 47.2% — 83rd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $103,112 — 1,783rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.5% — 9,420th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 15,083
33. 19066
> Location: Narberth, Pennsylvania
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.0%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 59.9% — 8th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $218,571 — 26th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.8% — 3,431st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 5,662
32. 94708
> Location: Berkeley, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 55.4% — 24th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $170,139 — 153rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.2% — 8,383rd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 11,394
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31. 02481
> Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.2%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 51.7% — 48th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $223,917 — 21st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.6% — 12,785th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 16,140
30. 60022
> Location: Glencoe, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.2%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 54.3% — 28th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $248,243 — 10th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.7% — 3,152nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 8,471
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29. 02108
> Location: Boston, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 45.4% — 117th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $146,958 — 346th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 6.4% — 14,678th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 4,454
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28. 02138
> Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.5%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 58.5% — 14th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $105,065 — 1,643rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.4% — 9,066th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 38,504
27. 60654
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 40.1% — 236th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $122,492 — 853rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.1% — 1,832nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 20,022
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26. 20007
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 55.6% — 23rd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $140,208 — 423rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.9% — 7,247th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 27,201
25. 20015
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 57.8% — 16th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $167,375 — 173rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.4% — 9,066th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 16,202
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24. 07078
> Location: Short Hills, New Jersey
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.8%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 53.7% — 31st highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.8% — 13,325th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 13,372
24/7 Wall St.
23. 02459
> Location: Newton, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.9%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 57.0% — 18th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $195,336 — 68th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.7% — 1,166th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 19,012
22. 07310
> Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 88.0%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 54.6% — 27th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $147,516 — 335th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.2% — 4,745th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 13,148
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21. 10069
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 88.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 47.9% — 75th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $132,500 — 580th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.3% — 5,101st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 6,051
20. 20016
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 88.4%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 60.7% — 5th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $155,112 — 249th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.8% — 10,405th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 33,518
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19. 02199
> Location: Boston, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 88.5%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 41.5% — 198th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $83,464 — 3,728th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.5% — 915th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 1,157
18. 10006
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 48.8% — 66th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $179,044 — 112th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.7% — 10,076th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,092
17. 20036
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.4%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 58.9% — 12th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $96,771 — 2,227th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.4% — 809th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 5,455
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16. 20037
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.5%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 64.2% — 1st highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $88,170 — 3,097th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.4% — 9,066th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 15,179
15. 10280
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 47.0% — 90th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $182,760 — 97th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.6% — 2,881st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 9,496
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14. 20816
> Location: Bethesda, Maryland
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.7%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 61.4% — 2nd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $216,604 — 28th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.2% — 4,745th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 16,316
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13. 02210
> Location: Boston, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 89.7%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 45.6% — 109th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $170,588 — 151st highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.3% — 5,101st lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,715
12. 53726
> Location: Madison, Wisconsin
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 90.2%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 59.2% — 11th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $37,976 — 18,209th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.9% — 1,478th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 5,612
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11. 10005
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 90.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 39.3% — 278th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $189,702 — 84th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.1% — 4,384th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 8,701
10. 60661
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 90.3%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 42.4% — 179th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $120,000 — 932nd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 1.5% — 915th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 10,354
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9. 20818
> Location: Cabin John, Maryland
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 90.5%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 61.4% — 2nd highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $180,368 — 106th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.2% — 11,675th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 1,971
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8. 02468
> Location: Newton, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 90.7%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 60.6% — 6th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $241,190 — 12th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.7% — 3,152nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 5,623
7. 02142
> Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 91.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 59.7% — 9th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $121,484 — 882nd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.3% — 2,225th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,676
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6. 20004
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 91.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 60.5% — 7th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $146,822 — 347th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.0% — 4,040th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 1,923
5. 10004
> Location: New York, New York
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 91.9%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 47.1% — 88th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $190,223 — 83rd highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 3.5% — 5,814th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,335
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4. 60606
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 93.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 44.4% — 128th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $140,558 — 417th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 2.1% — 1,832nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 3,287
3. 60043
> Location: Kenilworth, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 93.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 51.6% — 49th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $227,404 — 18th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 5.0% — 11,032nd lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 2,460
2. 94305
> Location: Stanford, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 93.6%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 58.2% — 15th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes
> Median household income: $60,000 — 9,555th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 4.7% — 10,076th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 16,397
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1. 02163
> Location: Boston, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 97.1%
> Adults with a graduate or professional degree: 35.4% — 429th highest of 20,112 ZIP codes (tied)
> Median household income: $53,214 — 12,384th highest of 20,099 ZIP codes (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019: 12.2% — 19,350th lowest of 20,109 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population: 2,621
Methodology
To determine America’s most educated ZIP codes, 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.
We used ZIP Code Tabulation Areas — a Census geography type that defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to Census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.
Of the 33,120 ZIP codes the Census publishes data for, 32,989 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
ZIP codes were excluded if bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rates were not available in the 2019 ACS, if the ZIP code’s 25 and older population was less than 1,000, or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’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 ZIP code’s bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rate. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their 25 and over population estimates, using the same definition.
The remaining 20,112 ZIP codes were ranked based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on the share of adults 25 years and over who have a graduate or professional degree, median household income, unemployment rates for the 16 and older population in the civilian labor force, and population figures are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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