Least educated counties in Washington

Written by:
May 14, 2022
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Least educated counties in Washington

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 Washington 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 Washington.

#39. King County

- 52.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($29,198 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 15% ($36,199)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.6% ($43,630)
- Bachelor's degree: 31.4% ($70,934)
- Graduate or professional degree: 21.1% ($92,801)

#38. San Juan County

- 49.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 4.1% ($26,736 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 16% ($34,509)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($32,296)
- Bachelor's degree: 29.4% ($35,963)
- Graduate or professional degree: 20.4% ($46,419)

#37. Whitman County

- 49.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 4.6% ($30,069 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 15.9% ($35,370)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($31,745)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.4% ($40,045)
- Graduate or professional degree: 24.4% ($45,495)

#36. Jefferson County

- 44.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 4.9% ($24,242 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 20.7% ($31,370)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($27,152)
- Bachelor's degree: 24.4% ($29,883)
- Graduate or professional degree: 19.9% ($42,338)

#35. Thurston County

- 35.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.3% ($27,922 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 21.3% ($33,800)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.8% ($40,900)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.9% ($54,173)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13.9% ($70,240)

#34. Whatcom County

- 34.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.2% ($30,398 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.4% ($36,780)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.2% ($36,819)
- Bachelor's degree: 22% ($45,205)
- Graduate or professional degree: 12.2% ($63,857)

#33. Island County

- 33.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 4.7% ($29,739 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 21.7% ($35,466)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.1% ($38,866)
- Bachelor's degree: 20% ($49,596)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13.6% ($61,957)

#32. Kitsap County

- 33.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 5.2% ($29,603 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.2% ($34,128)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.5% ($42,084)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.7% ($58,699)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.5% ($76,171)

#31. Snohomish County

- 32.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.7% ($31,996 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.3% ($40,782)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.2% ($46,847)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.2% ($66,094)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.6% ($84,623)

#30. Kittitas County

- 32.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($40,269 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.9% ($36,791)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.2% ($38,692)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.1% ($38,638)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.2% ($66,683)

#29. Klickitat County

- 31.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12% ($21,710 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.8% ($32,381)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($36,600)
- Bachelor's degree: 21% ($43,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.5% ($60,405)

#28. Benton County

- 30.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.9% ($25,413 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.5% ($32,722)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.8% ($40,812)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.9% ($63,742)
- Graduate or professional degree: 12% ($78,043)

#27. Spokane County

- 30.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.2% ($24,756 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.2% ($30,783)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.8% ($34,308)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.4% ($48,992)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($66,654)

#26. Clark County

- 30.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($31,424 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.2% ($36,886)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.8% ($41,596)
- Bachelor's degree: 20% ($60,317)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.6% ($72,721)

#25. Walla Walla County

- 29.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.7% ($24,042 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19.8% ($32,037)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.6% ($33,127)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.1% ($47,136)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.7% ($65,610)

#24. Clallam County

- 27.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.5% ($22,459 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.3% ($30,525)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.8% ($34,126)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.1% ($42,372)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($63,206)

#23. Pierce County

- 27.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.5% ($30,182 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.2% ($37,480)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.1% ($43,219)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.9% ($56,541)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.3% ($75,039)

#22. Skagit County

- 26.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($29,642 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.3% ($36,610)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.6% ($38,731)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.9% ($50,878)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.3% ($71,617)

#21. Chelan County

- 25.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.4% ($27,237 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.4% ($28,018)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($37,048)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.6% ($44,510)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.1% ($69,342)

#20. Columbia County

- 25.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.8% ($39,355 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 21.7% ($20,741)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 43.9% ($37,350)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.4% ($39,438)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.2% ($43,929)

#19. Lincoln County

- 25.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($22,955 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.3% ($32,895)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.4% ($37,990)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.6% ($44,531)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.4% ($60,000)

#18. Garfield County

- 24.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 5.6%
- High school graduate: 27.9% ($33,333)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 42.1% ($31,703)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.6% ($45,375)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($31,875)

#17. Skamania County

- 24.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.3% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.4% ($35,918)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.8% ($40,619)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($52,847)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10% ($63,135)

#16. Asotin County

- 21.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($24,260 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28% ($30,173)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 42% ($32,921)
- Bachelor's degree: 14% ($47,400)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.3% ($63,304)

#15. Pend Oreille County

- 20.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.9% ($33,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31% ($31,370)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.4% ($33,607)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.9% ($50,605)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.8% ($58,654)

#14. Douglas County

- 20.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($25,508 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.6% ($31,348)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($36,921)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.4% ($56,769)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.1% ($68,456)

#13. Okanogan County

- 20% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($22,295 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($29,779)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.6% ($33,380)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($39,878)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($59,855)

#12. Wahkiakum County

- 19.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.9% ($35,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30% ($38,836)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 42.6% ($33,529)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($47,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($68,095)

#11. Pacific County

- 18.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.7% ($19,018 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.9% ($31,125)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.5% ($30,890)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($42,614)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.6% ($55,179)

#10. Ferry County

- 18.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13% ($17,326 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($30,144)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($27,472)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($38,097)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($50,156)

#9. Stevens County

- 18.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.4% ($31,528 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.5% ($32,129)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.4% ($32,787)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($50,170)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($63,616)

#8. Lewis County

- 17.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($26,363 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.1% ($31,080)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.7% ($36,792)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($43,881)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($66,448)

#7. Grant County

- 17.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23.3% ($25,529 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.2% ($31,209)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($37,621)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($47,614)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($70,149)

#6. Franklin County

- 17.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.1% ($24,620 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.5% ($33,956)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($39,106)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($61,889)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($68,119)

#5. Mason County

- 17.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($22,988 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.2% ($31,389)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.8% ($36,933)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($42,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($65,517)

#4. Cowlitz County

- 17% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($26,397 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.6% ($31,280)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 41.7% ($39,733)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($52,467)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($64,173)

#3. Yakima County

- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 26.3% ($24,934 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.1% ($30,652)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($35,250)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($50,288)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($66,878)

#2. Grays Harbor County

- 16.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.3% ($22,269 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34% ($30,114)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.2% ($32,095)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($53,016)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($69,840)

#1. Adams County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 33% ($24,048 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.7% ($29,583)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($36,092)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($51,875)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($58,462)

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