Least educated counties in Wisconsin

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May 14, 2022
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Least educated counties in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

#50. Marathon County

- 25.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($28,105 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.3% ($33,199)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.1% ($38,145)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.3% ($50,516)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.2% ($66,510)

#49. Racine County

- 25.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($25,718 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.6% ($35,042)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.7% ($38,740)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.6% ($55,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.6% ($72,205)

#48. Sheboygan County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($31,110 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.9% ($36,731)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.2% ($40,016)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.6% ($52,803)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.5% ($66,563)

#47. Iowa County

- 24.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 4.8% ($32,105 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.3% ($34,902)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.3% ($39,368)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.9% ($52,271)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.7% ($63,312)

#46. Sawyer County

- 24.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.7% ($16,048 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34% ($24,617)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.1% ($31,255)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.1% ($43,616)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.2% ($53,355)

#45. Douglas County

- 24.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.3% ($24,087 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.1% ($31,461)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.5% ($38,022)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.3% ($46,843)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.8% ($58,547)

#44. Sauk County

- 24.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.1% ($30,015 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.9% ($31,384)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33% ($38,493)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.7% ($48,824)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.4% ($61,475)

#43. Grant County

- 23.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.7% ($26,234 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.1% ($31,752)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($36,006)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($45,489)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.9% ($57,487)

#42. Green County

- 23.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.6% ($32,267 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.5% ($32,923)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($38,095)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.1% ($51,998)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.5% ($66,076)

#41. Columbia County

- 23.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($30,290 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.7% ($37,268)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.7% ($43,862)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.3% ($53,925)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($60,682)

#40. Fond du Lac County

- 23.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($27,718 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($36,474)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.8% ($39,589)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.1% ($50,085)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($61,803)

#39. Washburn County

- 23% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.8% ($24,808 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.6% ($30,989)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.7% ($31,155)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.5% ($42,639)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.4% ($54,392)

#38. Vernon County

- 22.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($25,139 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($30,662)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($35,078)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.7% ($44,007)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.7% ($56,420)

#37. Rock County

- 22.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.2% ($27,636 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($31,624)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.5% ($37,425)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.7% ($50,668)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.4% ($63,770)

#36. Wood County

- 21.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($30,079 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($31,421)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33% ($36,626)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.5% ($49,386)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($70,653)

#35. Chippewa County

- 21% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.2% ($26,592 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($31,501)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.4% ($36,729)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($48,796)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.6% ($58,804)

#34. Polk County

- 20.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.2% ($31,224 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($32,874)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.6% ($40,397)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($49,211)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($59,472)

#33. Burnett County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($25,101 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($28,554)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36% ($34,764)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($42,344)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($53,625)

#32. Pepin County

- 20.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($26,801 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($31,572)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($38,919)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($43,106)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($62,396)

#31. Monroe County

- 20.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.1% ($30,653 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.8% ($32,834)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.5% ($39,039)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.3% ($47,719)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($58,342)

#30. Barron County

- 20.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($26,429 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($30,574)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.5% ($34,511)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.1% ($49,004)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($59,489)

#29. Manitowoc County

- 20.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8% ($27,593 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($35,427)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.2% ($39,140)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($49,895)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($64,101)

#28. Green Lake County

- 20.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.3% ($32,863 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($31,869)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($37,038)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.2% ($49,760)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($61,964)

#27. Iron County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 5.4% ($31,458 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.7% ($25,817)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.9% ($30,329)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.3% ($45,341)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($53,929)

#26. Florence County

- 19.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($19,423 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.6% ($26,528)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.5% ($34,145)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.2% ($50,556)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($46,964)

#25. Waupaca County

- 19.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($26,163 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($35,132)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($39,627)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.3% ($46,413)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($57,794)

#24. Ashland County

- 19.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.7% ($25,417 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37% ($24,432)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.4% ($32,243)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.1% ($41,090)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.8% ($56,643)

#23. Kewaunee County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($30,344 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($35,439)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.7% ($41,642)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($50,615)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($63,429)

#22. Buffalo County

- 19.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.1% ($30,161 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($33,644)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($40,474)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.4% ($43,219)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($60,500)

#21. Trempealeau County

- 19.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.3% ($31,462 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39% ($32,842)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.3% ($39,079)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.9% ($47,747)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($57,198)

#20. Richland County

- 19% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($26,420 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($32,735)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.3% ($36,092)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($40,545)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.3% ($54,886)

#19. Lafayette County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 9.2% ($31,288 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($32,009)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.4% ($37,176)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($49,653)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($57,353)

#18. Lincoln County

- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8% ($28,542 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($33,351)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.4% ($38,871)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($51,124)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($61,936)

#17. Crawford County

- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($21,774 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.7% ($29,077)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.2% ($34,284)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($45,132)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($50,956)

#16. Menominee County

- 17.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($24,125 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($27,429)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.4% ($26,098)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($43,320)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($49,250)

#15. Dodge County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 9.2% ($30,689 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($36,345)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.9% ($40,585)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.1% ($48,070)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($60,588)

#14. Oconto County

- 16.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($31,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.7% ($35,749)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.9% ($39,850)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.4% ($51,416)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($61,779)

#13. Langlade County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($22,232 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($30,560)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($33,070)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($38,902)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($50,625)

#12. Rusk County

- 16.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12% ($25,318 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,835)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($34,576)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($39,122)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($54,083)

#11. Price County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($16,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($31,926)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.8% ($32,188)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($42,969)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($50,673)

#10. Waushara County

- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13.2% ($25,442 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($31,780)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($35,941)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($44,783)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($59,412)

#9. Marinette County

- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.9% ($23,611 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($32,224)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.6% ($35,865)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($48,110)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($68,438)

#8. Shawano County

- 15.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($29,107 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($32,357)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($35,779)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($48,351)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($56,572)

#7. Marquette County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 10.9% ($27,059 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($32,027)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33% ($35,869)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($46,466)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($55,104)

#6. Taylor County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($28,668 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($34,765)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($34,846)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($47,516)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($66,146)

#5. Forest County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 11.2% ($17,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.2% ($26,299)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35% ($31,839)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.8% ($41,591)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($53,083)

#4. Jackson County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($28,309 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($30,787)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.7% ($36,743)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($42,017)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($58,750)

#3. Adams County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 12.5% ($22,168 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($25,390)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($31,746)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($39,389)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($55,000)

#2. Juneau County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 11.5% ($29,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,984)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($34,486)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($45,655)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($55,787)

#1. Clark County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 17.8% ($30,607 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.8% ($32,719)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($36,466)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($47,056)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($54,185)

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