Least educated county in every state

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June 19, 2018
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Least educated county in every state

The value of a traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step towards the American dream, burgeoning costs have led many to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push some towards learning a trade or entering the workforce early.

These considerations aside, the national statistics show a clear difference in earnings as they relate to educational attainment, as college graduates typically earn 65% more than those with only a high school degree.

To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, Stacker used data from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey to construct a weighted index which measures the relative education level for every county in the United States. This index evaluates each county’s over-25 population across seven educational tiers, ranging from individuals not educated past 8th grade to those with graduate or professional degrees. For each segment of these tiers, a points-based indexing system was applied in direct proportion to the estimated years of schooling for each level of educational attainment. Lastly, the full range of index scores was normalized to a 0 to 100 scale, with 100 representing the most educated county in the United States.

For each county, we've included supporting educational attainment data as well as how it ranks nationally. Read on to explore the least educated county in every state.

RELATED: Click here to find out what states are spending the most & least per student on education

Alabama: Bullock County

Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 7.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 25.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.1%
Some college, no degree: 18.3%
Associate's degree: 3.9%
Bachelor's degree: 4.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,067/3,141


 

Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area

Education index (out of 100): 73.4
Less than 9th grade: 8.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 52.2%
Some college, no degree: 19.3%
Associate's degree: 2.1%
Bachelor's degree: 2.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,094/3,141

Note: Kusilvak Census Area is known as a county equivalent, representing a county-sized subdivision of the state's Unorganized Borough

Arizona: La Paz County

Education index (out of 100): 75.0
Less than 9th grade: 9.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.4%
Some college, no degree: 22.1%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 6.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.8%
Rank (of all counties): 2,977/3,141


 

Arkansas: Sevier County

Education index (out of 100): 73.4
Less than 9th grade: 15.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 20.7%
Associate's degree: 5.0%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
Rank (of all counties): 3,098/3,141


 

California: Imperial County

Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 18.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 22.5%
Some college, no degree: 24.1%
Associate's degree: 6.5%
Bachelor's degree: 9.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 3,066/3,141


 

Colorado: Bent County

Education index (out of 100): 76.6
Less than 9th grade: 6.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 45.5%
Some college, no degree: 19.0%
Associate's degree: 10.2%
Bachelor's degree: 6.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
Rank (of all counties): 2,663/3,141


 

Connecticut: Windham County

Education index (out of 100): 81.9
Less than 9th grade: 4.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.3%
Some college, no degree: 21.7%
Associate's degree: 9.2%
Bachelor's degree: 14.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 9.4%
Rank (of all counties): 918/3,141


 

Delaware: Kent County

Education index (out of 100): 81.3
Less than 9th grade: 4.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.6%
Some college, no degree: 21.6%
Associate's degree: 8.6%
Bachelor's degree: 14.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 8.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,098/3,141


 

Florida: Hendry County

Education index (out of 100): 71.3
Less than 9th grade: 22.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.7%
Some college, no degree: 16.0%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 5.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,128/3,141


 

Georgia: Stewart County

Education index (out of 100): 71.4
Less than 9th grade: 18.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.3%
Some college, no degree: 12.1%
Associate's degree: 4.3%
Bachelor's degree: 8.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,126/3,141


 

Hawaii: Maui County

Education index (out of 100): 83.0
Less than 9th grade: 3.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 4.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.5%
Some college, no degree: 24.6%
Associate's degree: 10.1%
Bachelor's degree: 17.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 8.2%
Rank (of all counties): 625/3,141


 

Idaho: Clark County

Education index (out of 100): 73.3
Less than 9th grade: 24.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 5.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.7%
Some college, no degree: 20.0%
Associate's degree: 2.6%
Bachelor's degree: 11.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,101/3,141


 

Illinois: Alexander County

Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 7.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.2%
Some college, no degree: 25.2%
Associate's degree: 6.6%
Bachelor's degree: 6.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.3%
Rank (of all counties): 2,962/3,141


 

Indiana: LaGrange County

Education index (out of 100): 71.3
Less than 9th grade: 28.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 32.0%
Some college, no degree: 14.0%
Associate's degree: 7.1%
Bachelor's degree: 7.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,127/3,141


 

Iowa: Crawford County

Education index (out of 100): 75.6
Less than 9th grade: 13.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 37.7%
Some college, no degree: 19.5%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 9.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
Rank (of all counties): 2,872/3,141


 

Kansas: Seward County

Education index (out of 100): 73.0
Less than 9th grade: 20.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 25.3%
Some college, no degree: 20.2%
Associate's degree: 8.3%
Bachelor's degree: 8.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,107/3,141


 

Kentucky: Leslie County

Education index (out of 100): 71.8
Less than 9th grade: 18.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 18.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 16.1%
Associate's degree: 3.3%
Bachelor's degree: 6.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,122/3,141


 

Louisiana: Evangeline Parish

Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 13.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.6%
Some college, no degree: 17.4%
Associate's degree: 5.4%
Bachelor's degree: 8.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,064/3,141


 

Maine: Somerset County

Education index (out of 100): 79.5
Less than 9th grade: 3.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.8%
Some college, no degree: 19.2%
Associate's degree: 11.2%
Bachelor's degree: 10.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.9%
Rank (of all counties): 1,793/3,141


 

Maryland: Somerset County

Education index (out of 100): 77.0
Less than 9th grade: 5.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.7%
Some college, no degree: 19.1%
Associate's degree: 4.4%
Bachelor's degree: 8.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,564/3,141


 

Massachusetts: Bristol County

Education index (out of 100): 81.2
Less than 9th grade: 8.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 30.0%
Some college, no degree: 18.1%
Associate's degree: 9.1%
Bachelor's degree: 16.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 9.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,124/3,141


 

Michigan: Lake County

Education index (out of 100): 76.4
Less than 9th grade: 4.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 42.6%
Some college, no degree: 22.9%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 2,701/3,141


 

Minnesota: Nobles County

Education index (out of 100): 76.0
Less than 9th grade: 14.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.2%
Some college, no degree: 20.8%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 9.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 4%
Rank (of all counties): 2,813/3,141


 

Mississippi: Issaquena County

Education index (out of 100): 72.7
Less than 9th grade: 13.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.4%
Some college, no degree: 20.3%
Associate's degree: 2.8%
Bachelor's degree: 4.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,112/3,141


 

Missouri: Mississippi County

Education index (out of 100): 74.2
Less than 9th grade: 11.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.1%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.1%
Some college, no degree: 19.6%
Associate's degree: 2.7%
Bachelor's degree: 8.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,055/3,141


 

Montana: Wheatland County

Education index (out of 100): 75.9
Less than 9th grade: 18.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 5.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.1%
Some college, no degree: 21.0%
Associate's degree: 2.8%
Bachelor's degree: 15.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 4%
Rank (of all counties): 2,820/3,141


 

Nebraska: Dakota County

Education index (out of 100): 74.7
Less than 9th grade: 17.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.9%
Some college, no degree: 19.5%
Associate's degree: 6.0%
Bachelor's degree: 8.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 3,016/3,141


 

Nevada: Pershing County

Education index (out of 100): 76.1
Less than 9th grade: 9.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 12.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.1%
Some college, no degree: 24.0%
Associate's degree: 8.1%
Bachelor's degree: 6.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,777/3,141


 

New Hampshire: Coos County

Education index (out of 100): 79.9
Less than 9th grade: 3.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.2%
Some college, no degree: 20.4%
Associate's degree: 10.5%
Bachelor's degree: 11.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 6%
Rank (of all counties): 1,603/3,141


 

New Jersey: Cumberland County

Education index (out of 100): 76.2
Less than 9th grade: 9.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.3%
Some college, no degree: 17.1%
Associate's degree: 6.7%
Bachelor's degree: 10.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 2,762/3,141


 

New Mexico: Luna County

Education index (out of 100): 73.9
Less than 9th grade: 17.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 32.8%
Some college, no degree: 17.9%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 7.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,077/3,141


 

New York: Bronx County

Education index (out of 100): 76.3
Less than 9th grade: 14.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 27.4%
Some college, no degree: 17.7%
Associate's degree: 6.9%
Bachelor's degree: 12.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 6.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,723/3,141


 

North Carolina: Tyrrell County

Education index (out of 100): 74.3
Less than 9th grade: 7.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.3%
Some college, no degree: 20.5%
Associate's degree: 4.9%
Bachelor's degree: 4.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,053/3,141


 

North Dakota: Logan County

Education index (out of 100): 77.0
Less than 9th grade: 10.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 4.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.6%
Some college, no degree: 19.9%
Associate's degree: 9.1%
Bachelor's degree: 12.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.7%
Rank (of all counties): 2,569/3,141


 

Ohio: Holmes County

Education index (out of 100): 68.3
Less than 9th grade: 34.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.3%
Some college, no degree: 10.1%
Associate's degree: 4.4%
Bachelor's degree: 5.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.6%
Rank (of all counties): 3,138/3,141


 

Oklahoma: Texas County

Education index (out of 100): 75.9
Less than 9th grade: 16.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 11.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 29.5%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 3.8%
Bachelor's degree: 15.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,824/3,141


 

Oregon: Morrow County

Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 10.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 22.7%
Associate's degree: 7.9%
Bachelor's degree: 7.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
Rank (of all counties): 2,946/3,141


 

Pennsylvania: Forest County

Education index (out of 100): 75.2
Less than 9th grade: 4.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 54.6%
Some college, no degree: 13.8%
Associate's degree: 4.1%
Bachelor's degree: 5.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 2,941/3,141


 

Rhode Island: Providence County

Education index (out of 100): 81.4
Less than 9th grade: 8.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 29.6%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 7.9%
Bachelor's degree: 16.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 10.8%
Rank (of all counties): 1,057/3,141


 

South Carolina: Allendale County

Education index (out of 100): 74.5
Less than 9th grade: 9.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 40.7%
Some college, no degree: 16.4%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 7.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,032/3,141


 

South Dakota: Buffalo County

Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 6.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.4%
Some college, no degree: 20.5%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 6.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 2,951/3,141


 

Tennessee: Lake County

Education index (out of 100): 73.6
Less than 9th grade: 9.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.1%
High school graduate/equivalent: 45.6%
Some college, no degree: 14.7%
Associate's degree: 3.6%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,085/3,141


 

Texas: Starr County

Education index (out of 100): 67.5
Less than 9th grade: 34.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 23.9%
Some college, no degree: 12.0%
Associate's degree: 3.3%
Bachelor's degree: 6.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.8%
Rank (of all counties): 3,141/3,141


 

Utah: Uintah County

Education index (out of 100): 79.1
Less than 9th grade: 2.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 10.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.7%
Some college, no degree: 29.1%
Associate's degree: 8.0%
Bachelor's degree: 11.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,916/3,141


 

Vermont: Essex County

Education index (out of 100): 78.1
Less than 9th grade: 6.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 44.1%
Some college, no degree: 14.6%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 10.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,253/3,141


 

Virginia: Buchanan County

Education index (out of 100): 73.5
Less than 9th grade: 16.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.2%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 6.5%
Bachelor's degree: 6.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,093/3,141


 

Washington: Adams County

Education index (out of 100): 73.0
Less than 9th grade: 24.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 9.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 26.5%
Some college, no degree: 18.6%
Associate's degree: 7.2%
Bachelor's degree: 9.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,110/3,141


 

West Virginia: McDowell County

Education index (out of 100): 70.9
Less than 9th grade: 14.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 20.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 44.9%
Some college, no degree: 11.8%
Associate's degree: 3.1%
Bachelor's degree: 3.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,133/3,141


 

Wisconsin: Clark County

Education index (out of 100): 76.0
Less than 9th grade: 11.5%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 6.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 42.5%
Some college, no degree: 19.0%
Associate's degree: 8.6%
Bachelor's degree: 8.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.1%
Rank (of all counties): 2,799/3,141


 

Wyoming: Converse County

Education index (out of 100): 80.1
Less than 9th grade: 2.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 37.9%
Some college, no degree: 24.0%
Associate's degree: 12.8%
Bachelor's degree: 11.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
Rank (of all counties): 1,535/3,141


 

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