In this article, we look at the 10 most educated small towns in America. You can read more about how education levels lead to economic prosperity by heading over to our article, 25 Most Educated Small Towns in America, where we have also discussed corporations that offer educational support programs in rural and urban settings to promote education.
10. Klamath Falls, OR Micro Area
Population: 69,413
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 45.4%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.8%
Score: 0.65
Klamath Falls in Oregon is one of the most educated small towns in America. Apart from a sizable proportion of the population completing college education, it also has one of the highest rates of high school graduates (31%) due to a robust schooling system. The Klamath County School District (KCSD) has schools across 22 locations serving close to 7,000 students.
9. Richmond, IN Micro Area
Population: 66,553
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 50.6%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.7%
Score: 0.68
Richmond is the principal town in Indiana’s Richmond micropolitan area. It is home to four colleges and two seminaries. More than half of the youth in the town have completed some college or associate degree. 7% of the population holds a postgraduate degree.
8. Red Bluff, CA Micro Area
Population: 65,829
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 54.1%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
Score: 0.69
Red Bluff is a small town in California’s Tehama County. The place is popular for its livestock and farm produce, especially peaches. While higher education levels are only two-fifths the rate of the attainment in the United States, Red Bluff fares well when it comes to college education. Moreover, its high school graduation rate of 32% is 20% higher than the national average.
7. Findlay, OH Micro Area
Population: 74,920
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 42.4%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.5%
Score: 0.71
Findlay’s high percentage of educational attainment is owed to two large institutions in the town – the University of Findlay, which has an enrolment of more than 4,000 students and is also one of the largest employers in the town, and the Owens Community College.
6. Greenwood, SC Micro Area
Population: 69,351
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 52.3%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.5%
Score: 0.76
Greenwood has a median household income of over $52,000 which is around 90% of the state average in South Carolina. It is one of the most educated small towns in America, with approximately 89% of the population being at least high school graduates.
5. Stevens Point, WI Micro Area
Population: 70,377
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 47%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 29.7%
Score: 0.77
Stevens Point is the largest town in Wisconsin’s Portage County. The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is situated here, which was established in 1894 and is known for its degree programs on natural resources. Another fine educational institution in the town is the Mid-State Technical College.
4. Marion, IN Micro Area
Population: 66,674
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 58%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.2%
Score: 0.80
Per capita income in this town is estimated to be $26,216 according to the Census Bureau, which is more than two thirds of the national average in the United States. Metal, agriculture, and distribution are the main industries in Marion. High percentage of college graduates offer local businesses a fine pool of local candidates to hire from.
3. Marquette, MI Micro Area
Population: 66,017
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 59.4%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 32.7%
Score: 0.92
Marquette in Michigan is the third most educated small town in the United States. It is home to Northern Michigan University, which is the largest university in the state’s upper peninsula, enrolling more than 10,000 students. There are also several public schools and colleges, which offer high quality education at affordable rates to the local youth.
2. Rexburg, ID Micro Area
Population: 66,301
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 55.1%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 39.7%
Score: 0.95
Rexburg in Idaho is a popular college town, widely known for housing Brigham Young University. It is the principal city in the micropolitan area, which also includes the Madison and Fremont Counties. Nearly two-fifths of the population in the micro area have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Rexburg ranks as the second most educated small town in America.
1. Faribault-Northfield, MN Micro Area
Population: 67,097
Percentage of population aged between 18-24 with a college or associate degree: 68.5%
Percentage of population aged 25 and above with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 30.6%
Score: 0.99
The Faribault-Northfield micropolitan area tops the list of the most educated small towns in America, with an impressively high rate of college and university education attainment. The town’s median household income is an estimated $67,267, which is almost at par with the national average. There are at least 11 colleges and universities serving the area, including two community colleges.
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