Least educated counties in Tennessee

Written by:
May 14, 2022
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

Least educated counties in Tennessee

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

#50. Chester County

- 16% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.8% ($27,688 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.1% ($31,363)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($40,156)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($43,403)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($59,583)

#49. Fentress County

- 16% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.1% ($14,196 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.6% ($24,026)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.4% ($26,450)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($43,023)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($46,125)

#48. Cannon County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.5% ($31,143 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.6% ($34,979)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($37,123)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($49,803)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($55,605)

#47. Stewart County

- 15.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($23,726 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($29,545)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($31,000)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($43,323)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($51,094)

#46. Obion County

- 15.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.5% ($20,893 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($26,578)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($30,478)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($38,613)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($52,931)

#45. Sequatchie County

- 15.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.4% ($18,810 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.1% ($28,693)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($34,761)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($43,966)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($48,934)

#44. Hardin County

- 15% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($22,229 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($30,260)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($32,517)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($41,823)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($51,953)

#43. Unicoi County

- 14.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($17,353 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($25,616)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($33,520)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($44,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($60,000)

#42. Marshall County

- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($28,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($31,618)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($37,190)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($46,780)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($50,398)

#41. Decatur County

- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.1% ($22,066 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($26,357)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($31,294)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($42,013)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($53,313)

#40. Warren County

- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.6% ($21,589 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.3% ($29,686)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.6% ($32,727)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($37,261)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($45,213)

#39. Smith County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($25,996 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.5% ($32,847)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.3% ($33,215)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($44,681)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($55,333)

#38. Henderson County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.2% ($25,879 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($29,400)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($33,509)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($47,574)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($54,331)

#37. Humphreys County

- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($23,777 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48.4% ($26,894)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.3% ($30,824)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($50,556)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($48,897)

#36. Lawrence County

- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.6% ($22,397 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.3% ($29,632)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($31,534)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($41,966)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($49,876)

#35. Clay County

- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($22,794 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.2% ($23,344)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.2% ($31,088)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($32,368)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,534)

#34. Trousdale County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.6% ($16,364 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($33,902)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.2% ($32,039)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($36,471)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,701)

#33. Crockett County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.8% ($23,233 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($29,242)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($35,861)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($43,306)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($57,500)

#32. Hawkins County

- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($17,368 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($28,397)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($32,559)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($43,427)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($52,948)

#31. Monroe County

- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($20,433 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,858)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($30,047)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($40,538)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,875)

#30. Grundy County

- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.6% ($21,926 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($27,391)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.4% ($29,646)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.1% ($43,333)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($42,096)

#29. Houston County

- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.8% ($21,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.1% ($31,161)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 17.1% ($25,698)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($41,176)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($62,955)

#28. Marion County

- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($21,013 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($34,078)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($36,686)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($43,304)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($51,536)

#27. Overton County

- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($20,192 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.7% ($29,144)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.2% ($35,995)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($48,545)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($47,047)

#26. McNairy County

- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.3% ($23,915 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.4% ($30,465)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.6% ($31,540)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($43,333)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($49,952)

#25. Campbell County

- 12.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.8% ($23,243 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.6% ($27,885)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($31,323)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($41,946)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($46,367)

#24. White County

- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.9% ($23,599 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.7% ($29,805)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.2% ($30,751)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($40,278)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($46,722)

#23. Benton County

- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($16,627 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.4% ($26,626)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($29,888)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($37,616)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($51,250)

#22. Bledsoe County

- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 24.4% ($25,280 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.8% ($28,542)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.8% ($35,849)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($39,094)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($54,167)

#21. Polk County

- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($26,069 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($31,175)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($32,869)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($46,456)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($50,060)

#20. Cocke County

- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20% ($17,445 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.8% ($25,895)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.7% ($32,106)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($38,478)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($45,875)

#19. Johnson County

- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($15,068 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($20,730)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($31,570)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($39,808)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($53,000)

#18. Perry County

- 11.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.2% ($23,901 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($31,172)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.9% ($32,284)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($77,143)

#17. Hardeman County

- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.4% ($23,731 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.8% ($29,726)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.7% ($30,836)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($46,587)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($54,190)

#16. Hancock County

- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.9% ($19,799 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.2% ($24,363)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($30,640)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.8% ($42,404)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($49,244)

#15. Haywood County

- 11% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18% ($25,441 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47% ($30,804)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24% ($28,410)
- Bachelor's degree: 6% ($54,417)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($51,950)

#14. Jackson County

- 11% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.9% ($29,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.6% ($25,437)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.6% ($27,045)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($39,738)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($47,122)

#13. Hickman County

- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.5% ($23,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.3% ($30,181)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.3% ($36,832)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($40,579)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($61,065)

#12. Grainger County

- 10.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.4% ($28,886 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($27,312)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.1% ($31,497)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($44,238)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($42,042)

#11. Lewis County

- 10.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.6% ($17,231 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($25,844)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.4% ($28,750)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.6% ($42,538)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($45,625)

#10. Macon County

- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($19,622 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.7% ($29,143)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.3% ($33,876)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.8% ($53,037)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($55,528)

#9. Union County

- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.9% ($26,126 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($30,847)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($39,964)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.8% ($44,542)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($66,424)

#8. Meigs County

- 9.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($31,066 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.4% ($38,088)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($36,250)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.9% ($47,083)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($54,781)

#7. Wayne County

- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($18,476 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.6% ($26,207)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($28,056)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.7% ($52,545)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($43,454)

#6. Morgan County

- 9.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($16,779 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48.5% ($27,861)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($32,134)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.8% ($53,611)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($51,654)

#5. Pickett County

- 9.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.6% ($22,292 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.2% ($21,793)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.7% ($32,883)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.5% ($43,088)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($52,438)

#4. Lake County

- 9.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 27% ($13,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($28,095)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.3% ($26,599)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.1% ($38,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($48,594)

#3. Scott County

- 9.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($31,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.3% ($26,457)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($32,268)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.7% ($47,238)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($51,464)

#2. Lauderdale County

- 8.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23% ($22,513 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.4% ($31,072)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.4% ($31,584)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7% ($40,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($61,111)

#1. Van Buren County

- 7.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($24,853 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 50.8% ($24,709)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.5% ($31,567)
- Bachelor's degree: 3.7% ($38,958)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($49,792)

Trending Now