The correlation between education and success is widely acknowledged, yet regional differences in educational achievement persist within the United States.
A recent survey conducted by 24/7 Wall St. sheds light on the significant gaps between the most and least educated cities in each state, with a focus on Florida’s least educated city.
Methodology of Data Compilation
The analysis utilized data from the 2019 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, encompassing cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and census-designated places with populations exceeding 25,000. Rankings were based on the lowest percentage of adults aged 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The report also provided insights into the percentages of adults with varying levels of education, including high school diploma holders, individuals with some college or an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree holders, and those with graduate or professional degrees.
Additionally, it presented median incomes corresponding to each educational attainment level, along with unemployment rates among individuals aged 25 to 64.
Revelation of Florida’s Least Educated City
As per the report, West Little River, a census-designated place situated in Miami-Dade County, emerges as Florida’s least educated city. Merely 10.7% of adults in West Little River possess a bachelor’s degree or higher, starkly lower than the national average of 32.1% and the state average of 29.9%.
Furthermore, West Little River exhibits a notable proportion of adults lacking a high school diploma, standing at 18.6%, which is more than double the state average of 10.3%. The median income for this demographic group amounts to a mere $21,459 annually, significantly below the national median of $45,536.
Comparatively, West Little River demonstrates lower percentages of adults with some college or an associate’s degree (24.4%) and graduate or professional degrees (10.9%) in contrast to state averages of 28.8% and 11.4%, respectively. The median earnings for these groups also fall below state and national medians.
Impact of Educational Attainment on Unemployment Rates
The high unemployment rate in West Little River, averaging 6.4% over the past five years, is closely tied to its poor educational attainment. This rate surpasses both the state average of 4.7% and the national average of 4.6%, potentially hindering individuals’ ability to pursue higher education or secure better-paying employment opportunities.
Conclusion
The disparities in educational attainment highlighted by the survey underscore the need for targeted interventions to address educational inequities across regions. Understanding the socioeconomic factors influencing educational outcomes is crucial for fostering economic mobility and ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals.