Where do the Smart People Live in Your State? Here Is the Most Educated city in Every State

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Posted on January 22, 2016 by Sabrina Perry

When deciding to pursue higher education, people take into account a variety of things, from tuition to majors offered to the school’s larger community. And post graduation, that diploma not only does a lot for your career choices, it does a lot for wherever you opt to settle down. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that adults with higher levels of education tend to be more engaged in civic activities and feel greater life satisfaction.

In a 2013 report published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the analysts found a strong correlation between the educational levels of a state’s workforce and the median wages in that state, and suggested investing in education instead of lowering taxes or cutting costs to businesses to boost economic prosperity.

Though this may seem costly to the state initially, the EPI argues that creating a more educated workforce is a reliable investment. Those who have higher levels of education typically become high-earning citizens who contribute more in taxes over the course of their lifetimes.

FindTheHome wanted to pinpoint the most educated city in every state. We used 2014 estimates from the American Community Survey to find cities with the highest percentage of people holding bachelor’s degree or higher. Cities with a population above 8,000 people were evaluated. Each city’s average per-capita income is also included for context.

Note: Education statistics from the American Community Survey reflect percentages of the population ages 25 and older.

#50. North Dakota: Fargo

Population: 110,725
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 38.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 25.8%
-Graduate Degree: 12.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $29,986

#49. Nebraska: Papillion

Population: 21,100
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 39.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 25.9%
-Graduate Degree: 13.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $33,658

#48. Alaska: College

Population: 14,568
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 39.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 20.3%
-Graduate Degree: 18.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $33,217

#47. South Dakota: Brookings

Population: 22,645
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 48.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 29.8%
-Graduate Degree: 18.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $21,786

#46. Arkansas: Maumelle

Population: 17,565
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 49.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 32.6%
-Graduate Degree: 16.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $36,948

#45. Rhode Island: Newport

Population: 24,599
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 49.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 28.7%
-Graduate Degree: 21%
Average Per Capita Income: $40,773

#44. Wyoming: Laramie

Population: 31,601
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 51.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 28.6%
-Graduate Degree: 22.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $22,097

#43. Nevada: Incline Village

Population: 8,389
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 51.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 32.4%
-Graduate Degree: 19.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $47,664

#42. Oklahoma: Edmond

Population: 85,084
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 51.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 31.6%
-Graduate Degree: 20.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,298

#41. Kentucky: Francisville

Population: 9,217
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 52.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 19%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,526

#40. West Virginia: Cheat Lake

Population: 9,220
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 52.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 23%
-Graduate Degree: 29.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $42,160

#39. Vermont: South Burlington

Population: 18,378
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 53.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 31.2%
-Graduate Degree: 22.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,534

#38. Hawaii: East Honolulu

Population: 48,926
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 54.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 30.5%
-Graduate Degree: 23.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $48,119

#37. Montana: Bozeman

Population: 39,123
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 54.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 35.6%
-Graduate Degree: 18.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $26,350

#36. Idaho: Moscow

Population: 24,406
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 55.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 30.4%
-Graduate Degree: 24.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $20,151

#35. Utah: Highland

Population: 16,491
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 57.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 37.1%
-Graduate Degree: 20.5%
Average Per Capita Income: $31,840

#34. Maine: Orono

Population: 9,514
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 62.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 29%
-Graduate Degree: 33.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $18,910

#33. Iowa: Ames

Population: 61,276
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 62.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 29.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $24,082

#32. Louisiana: Oak Hills Place

Population: 8,568
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 63.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 40.3%
-Graduate Degree: 23.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $42,867

#31. Mississippi: Madison

Population: 24,871
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 64.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 36.8%
-Graduate Degree: 27.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $45,604

#30. Delaware: Hockessin

Population: 13,620
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 65.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 37.1%
-Graduate Degree: 28.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $55,749

#29. South Carolina: Clemson

Population: 14,254
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 65.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 26.8%
-Graduate Degree: 38.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $22,689

#28. New Mexico: Los Alamos

Population: 11,843
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 66.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 24.6%
-Graduate Degree: 41.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $52,891

#27. Minnesota: Edina

Population: 48,940
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 67.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 39.5%
-Graduate Degree: 28.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $61,438

#26. Tennessee: Brentwood

Population: 39,059
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 67.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 42.6%
-Graduate Degree: 25.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $58,745

#25. Oregon: Bethany

Population: 21,658
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 68.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 36.1%
-Graduate Degree: 32.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $43,479

#24. Pennsylvania: Upper St. Clair

Population: 19,303
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 69.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 36.5%
-Graduate Degree: 32.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $48,691

#23. Arizona: Paradise Valley

Population: 13,243
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 70.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 37.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $94,026

#22. Indiana: Purdue University

Population: 10,954
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 72.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 25.6%
-Graduate Degree: 47.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $4,688

#21. Florida: Key Biscayne

Population: 12,774
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 73.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 34.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $76,709

#20. North Carolina: Chapel Hill

Population: 58,379
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 74%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 29.4%
-Graduate Degree: 44.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $36,928

#19. Kansas: Leawood

Population: 32,842
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 74.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 41.7%
-Graduate Degree: 32.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $76,304

#18. Washington: Mercer Island

Population: 23,636
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 75.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 40.4%
-Graduate Degree: 35.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $75,396

#17. Wisconsin: Whitefish Bay

Population: 14,132
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 75.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 42.2%
-Graduate Degree: 33.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $52,316

#16. Ohio: New Albany

Population: 8,169
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 76.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 37.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $78,875

#15. Michigan: Birmingham

Population: 20,382
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 77.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 40%
-Graduate Degree: 37.5%
Average Per Capita Income: $69,172

#14. Colorado: Superior

Population: 12,716
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 78%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 39.4%
-Graduate Degree: 38.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $50,184

#13. Connecticut: Darien

Population: 21,190
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 79.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 42.9%
-Graduate Degree: 36.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $95,607

#12. Virginia: McLean

Population: 48,078
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 81.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 31.1%
-Graduate Degree: 50.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $94,014

#11. Georgia: Druid Hills

Population: 14,439
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 81.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 37.4%
-Graduate Degree: 44.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $49,063

#10. Maryland: Bethesda

Population: 62,024
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 82.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 27.8%
-Graduate Degree: 54.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $86,014

#9. Massachusetts: Wellesley

Population: 28,858
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 82.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 33.6%
-Graduate Degree: 48.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $71,733

#8. New Hampshire: Durham

Population: 10,288
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 82.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 35.5%
-Graduate Degree: 47.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $13,580

#7. Missouri: Ladue

Population: 8,549
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 83%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 39%
-Graduate Degree: 44.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $96,185

#6. Alabama: Mountain Brook

Population: 20,484
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 85.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 44.8%
-Graduate Degree: 40.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $69,716

#5. New York: Scarsdale

Population: 17,471
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 86.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 29.5%
-Graduate Degree: 57.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $113,535

#4. Illinois: Winnetka

Population: 12,366
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 87.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 48.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $98,139

#3. Texas: West University Place

Population: 15,223
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 88%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 37.8%
-Graduate Degree: 50.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $106,583

#2. New Jersey: Short Hills

Population: 12,729
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 88.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 36.1%
-Graduate Degree: 52.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $102,528

#1. California: Stanford

Population: 13,506
Has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 94.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor’s Degree: 30.3%
-Graduate Degree: 63.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $30,200