Adults With College Degrees in the United States, by County

About These Data

While the primary source for these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, this interactive map makes use of historical Census data provided by the Minnesota Population Center’s National Historical Geographic Information System.

The most recent data come from the American Community Survey’s five-year estimates, which collected information from a sample of U.S. households between 2005 and 2009. Earlier data are from decennial Census reports.

Until the 1990 Census, educational attainment was tracked by counting years of college completed. In creating this interactive tool, we treated having a bachelor’s degree completing four or more years of college as the same thing.

Over the years a number of changes have been made in how the Census asks respondents about their race and ethnicity, which may account for some differences in responses over time. Most notably, in 2000, residents were given the option to list themselves as belonging to two or more races. Also, because “Hispanic origin” is considered an ethnicity, Hispanics can belong to any of the racial groups that the Census Bureau uses.

The county, county equivalent (boroughs, parishes, and “census areas”), and independent city boundaries on this map are current, but some have changed since 1940. In instances where a county did not exist, The Chronicle used data from the surrounding area where possible.

Related Article:
Census Data Show Rise in College Degrees, but Also in Racial Gaps in Education