Least educated counties in Georgia
The value of traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step toward the American dream, growing costs have led many students to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push others toward learning a trade or entering the workforce early.
These considerations aside, national statistics show a clear difference in earnings as they relate to educational attainment, as college graduates than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, compiled a list of the least educated counties in Georgia using data from the . Counties are ranked by the lowest percent of the population 25 years and over that has a Bachelor's degree or higher. Ties are broken by the highest percent with less than high school diploma.
Keep read on for a look at the least-educated counties in Georgia.
#50. Wayne County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.6% ($24,423 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($27,023)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($27,527)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($54,511)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($55,697)
#49. Emanuel County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.4% ($18,693 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($26,222)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($33,109)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($47,031)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($55,887)
#48. Candler County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.7% ($15,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($24,617)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($30,181)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($42,050)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
#47. Coffee County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.3% ($21,230 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($27,935)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.5% ($31,067)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($41,136)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($64,159)
#46. Baker County
- 12.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.4% ($21,304 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.9% ($32,076)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($30,771)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5%
#45. Colquitt County
- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.3% ($20,302 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.8% ($24,995)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($31,225)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($52,652)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($54,005)
#44. Pierce County
- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.6% ($23,818 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($27,160)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.1% ($32,376)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($49,145)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($56,601)
#43. Taylor County
- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.5% ($31,131 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.5% ($37,633)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($26,484)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($33,077)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($53,611)
#42. Clay County
- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.9% ($9,398 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.3% ($14,740)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($26,591)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($43,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
#41. Treutlen County
- 12.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.3% ($20,856 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($26,536)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.5% ($34,808)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($52,813)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($48,333)
#40. Washington County
- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($19,978 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($26,891)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.3% ($30,791)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($46,556)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($49,318)
#39. Warren County
- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.8% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.8% ($25,266)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.1% ($30,996)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($40,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($52,692)
#38. Wilcox County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($19,688 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.6% ($27,083)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($36,413)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($41,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($55,778)
#37. Butts County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.4% ($20,701 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($31,079)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($31,364)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($43,799)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($67,796)
#36. Stewart County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 31.9% ($20,919 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($25,516)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.5% ($26,435)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($23,860)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($62,950)
#35. Atkinson County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 32.8% ($23,821 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.7% ($26,635)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.2% ($27,361)
- Bachelor's degree: 5% ($46,635)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($62,120)
#34. Talbot County
- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.7% ($25,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.5% ($26,729)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.7% ($30,521)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($35,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($46,818)
#33. Dooly County
- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.3% ($24,773 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($26,309)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.5% ($32,295)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($51,859)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($47,778)
#32. Twiggs County
- 11.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.8% ($23,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($30,634)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($32,111)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.2% ($63,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($54,708)
#31. Turner County
- 11.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.8% ($18,506 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($24,223)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($34,338)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($32,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($69,932)
#30. Elbert County
- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.6% ($21,489 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($26,992)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.9% ($31,427)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($39,844)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($54,810)
#29. Glascock County
- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.8% ($39,107 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($31,071)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($42,827)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($35,536)
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.1% ($53,750)
#28. Berrien County
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($17,981 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($29,414)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.1% ($31,532)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($48,170)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($51,554)
#27. Ben Hill County
- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($21,229 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.3% ($26,048)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($27,583)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($41,497)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($60,600)
#26. Terrell County
- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($13,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.3% ($19,737)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.9% ($32,107)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.7% ($43,382)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($46,000)
#25. Worth County
- 11% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.1% ($21,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($31,678)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($34,641)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($50,852)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($68,404)
#24. Wilkinson County
- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.6% ($20,625 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 50.3% ($26,840)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($30,707)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.1% ($47,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($48,816)
#23. Crawford County
- 10.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.9% ($23,125 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40% ($38,913)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($30,894)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.3% ($36,806)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($49,471)
#22. Bacon County
- 10.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($19,792 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($26,149)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($27,809)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($64,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($54,531)
#21. Meriwether County
- 10.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.3% ($23,580 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.8% ($30,725)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.5% ($26,800)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($37,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($57,059)
#20. Jeff Davis County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.8% ($25,195 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($31,338)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.3% ($30,843)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($36,181)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($54,286)
#19. Randolph County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.4% ($21,944 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($22,941)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($22,079)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.1% ($39,070)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($52,857)
#18. Murray County
- 10.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 29.3% ($28,146 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($31,616)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($31,858)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($50,714)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($55,893)
#17. Clinch County
- 10% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 30.8% ($29,458 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.9% ($30,901)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.3% ($25,083)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.9% ($34,522)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($44,087)
#16. Jefferson County
- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.6% ($19,864 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($25,282)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($31,475)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($41,332)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3% ($39,609)
#15. Appling County
- 9.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.1% ($17,838 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($30,314)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.4% ($31,599)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.6% ($50,227)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($51,563)
#14. Mitchell County
- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.7% ($21,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.5% ($27,256)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($30,501)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($54,659)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.8% ($59,309)
#13. Echols County
- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.8% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.9% ($44,397)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.5% ($31,645)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.9% ($42,634)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($47,083)
#12. Johnson County
- 9.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.8%
- High school graduate: 45.9% ($31,646)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20% ($32,609)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.5% ($31,516)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($61,429)
#11. Calhoun County
- 9.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 27.1% ($16,891 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($24,940)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.1% ($26,726)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.6% ($29,286)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($46,538)
#10. Brantley County
- 8.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.2% ($19,820 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.6% ($27,066)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($39,830)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.3% ($53,688)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($60,118)
#9. Chattooga County
- 8.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.1% ($24,486 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.1% ($31,131)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($31,674)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.3% ($42,898)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($64,607)
#8. Charlton County
- 8.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.9% ($14,811 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.1% ($25,156)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.1% ($38,119)
- Bachelor's degree: 3.9% ($45,278)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($44,188)
#7. Macon County
- 8.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.4% ($21,694 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.8% ($27,218)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($30,742)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.3% ($37,031)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($48,314)
#6. Heard County
- 8.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.4% ($23,399 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.1% ($32,182)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.9% ($35,818)
- Bachelor's degree: 4% ($45,962)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($55,893)
#5. Hancock County
- 8.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.8% ($21,928 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.1% ($23,409)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($32,066)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.1%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.5% ($68,750)
#4. Telfair County
- 8.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 29.7% ($31,075 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.2% ($31,742)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 14.5% ($30,825)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.4% ($44,962)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($49,438)
#3. Taliaferro County
- 8.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 28.9% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.2% ($31,844)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 16.7% ($27,917)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.2% ($35,833)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($48,750)
#2. Jenkins County
- 7.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.8%
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($22,158)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($21,572)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($65,739)
#1. Quitman County
- 7.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 35.3% ($19,100 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($27,227)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.1% ($23,792)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.4% ($86,250)
