Least educated counties in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia.
#50. Surry County
- 20.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($18,287 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.2% ($41,557)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.1% ($37,865)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.5% ($45,025)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.1% ($47,500)
#49. Shenandoah County
- 20.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13% ($29,869 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.9% ($32,235)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($32,444)
- Bachelor's degree: 14% ($44,455)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.6% ($60,485)
#48. Mecklenburg County
- 20.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.1% ($19,177 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.8% ($27,284)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($30,742)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.2% ($40,947)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($46,813)
#47. Pulaski County
- 20% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.5% ($22,067 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.2% ($29,642)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.2% ($38,480)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.1% ($44,713)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($50,192)
#46. Caroline County
- 19.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($20,924 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($36,124)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.5% ($43,856)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.2% ($50,701)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($60,791)
#45. Petersburg city
- 19.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.2% ($17,491 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.7% ($25,744)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($31,015)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.6% ($46,236)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.2% ($49,313)
#44. Accomack County
- 19.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($21,504 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($26,030)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.3% ($35,225)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($41,215)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.2% ($53,591)
#43. Westmoreland County
- 19.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.5% ($23,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.8% ($28,877)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($36,723)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($56,157)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($87,083)
#42. Franklin city
- 19.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.7% ($22,643 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.1% ($30,260)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.1% ($34,434)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($39,808)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.1% ($45,659)
#41. Amherst County
- 19.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.4% ($24,511 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($27,271)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($40,440)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($46,673)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($51,646)
#40. Wythe County
- 19% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.9% ($24,181 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.9% ($30,458)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($33,099)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.2% ($43,071)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.8% ($51,460)
#39. Dinwiddie County
- 18.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.9% ($21,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($35,305)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($40,622)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($43,786)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($51,340)
#38. Southampton County
- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.2% ($17,473 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.8% ($25,867)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.6% ($40,594)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($46,413)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($56,688)
#37. Giles County
- 18.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11% ($31,047 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($32,479)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.1% ($35,361)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($46,410)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($60,000)
#36. Richmond County
- 17.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.4% ($25,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($29,841)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.5% ($31,784)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($36,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($51,442)
#35. Danville city
- 17.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.2% ($16,419 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.5% ($26,139)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($26,882)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($41,932)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($53,297)
#34. Essex County
- 17.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($31,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($31,311)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($33,906)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($41,548)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($54,570)
#33. Amelia County
- 17.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($31,426 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($37,346)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26% ($45,712)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($49,778)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($74,167)
#32. Bath County
- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($30,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.9% ($31,458)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($44,773)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($46,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($59,038)
#31. Buena Vista city
- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($22,933 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($19,043)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.9% ($30,084)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($25,798)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.7% ($62,028)
#30. Covington city
- 15.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.6% ($41,417 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.4% ($23,125)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($32,141)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($38,068)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($48,594)
#29. Halifax County
- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.6% ($16,786 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($31,392)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($34,312)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($46,900)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($51,825)
#28. Patrick County
- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($26,782 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.8% ($26,584)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.2% ($31,013)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($43,245)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($52,202)
#27. Alleghany County
- 15% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14% ($18,634 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($31,210)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($39,568)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($44,700)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($56,719)
#26. Carroll County
- 15% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.2% ($22,734 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($29,000)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($33,322)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($33,456)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($43,981)
#25. Wise County
- 15% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.1% ($19,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.7% ($26,936)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($31,088)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($40,565)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($59,313)
#24. Cumberland County
- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.5% ($26,161 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($28,893)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($33,586)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($43,320)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.6% ($41,500)
#23. Tazewell County
- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.3% ($19,472 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($28,319)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($31,492)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($40,618)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($54,337)
#22. Hopewell city
- 14.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($20,943 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($27,223)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($35,568)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($41,079)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($48,359)
#21. Nottoway County
- 14.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.3% ($17,816 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($30,785)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.2% ($31,927)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($42,198)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($67,232)
#20. Galax city
- 14.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.4% ($19,267 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.4% ($17,745)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($30,741)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($51,932)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($52,841)
#19. Charles City County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($31,146 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.3% ($38,636)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.7% ($40,913)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($45,769)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($75,114)
#18. Smyth County
- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.7% ($18,147 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($25,878)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($30,323)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($41,927)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($57,250)
#17. Pittsylvania County
- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.3% ($22,953 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35% ($30,246)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.1% ($31,051)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($43,151)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($49,306)
#16. Bland County
- 14.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($35,298 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($30,215)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($27,444)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($58,361)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($54,423)
#15. Henry County
- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.9% ($21,847 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.2% ($23,767)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.9% ($32,150)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($41,389)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($56,750)
#14. Emporia city
- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.6% ($21,786 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.8% ($26,213)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.8% ($24,147)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($36,098)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($63,750)
#13. Page County
- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.3% ($22,264 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.5% ($30,453)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($32,486)
- Bachelor's degree: 9% ($48,385)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($57,936)
#12. Grayson County
- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($18,972 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($26,979)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.2% ($28,295)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($30,764)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($39,375)
#11. Brunswick County
- 13.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.5% ($17,200 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($30,798)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($30,612)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($32,325)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($51,708)
#10. Scott County
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.6% ($25,234 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($25,351)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($33,138)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($46,926)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($57,083)
#9. Sussex County
- 12.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($13,622 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($26,814)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.1% ($32,891)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($37,619)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($53,542)
#8. Buckingham County
- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($25,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($26,986)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.6% ($34,934)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($47,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($45,870)
#7. Russell County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($26,759 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($25,510)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($35,924)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($49,593)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($50,000)
#6. Buchanan County
- 11.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 30% ($21,310 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.1% ($30,127)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($32,939)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($46,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($52,813)
#5. Lunenburg County
- 11.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.2% ($35,635 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($29,346)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($31,474)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($36,136)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($54,625)
#4. Lee County
- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.3% ($18,644 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.5% ($22,567)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($29,408)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($39,331)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($45,625)
#3. Charlotte County
- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.7% ($20,559 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($22,190)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($31,298)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.1% ($40,861)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($51,307)
#2. Dickenson County
- 10.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.6% ($21,735 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($28,051)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.1% ($32,839)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($46,146)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($54,181)
#1. Greensville County
- 9.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.2% ($19,453 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($26,376)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($30,354)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.1% ($39,457)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($59,185)