The U.S. Census Bureau has released new American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates showing a notable rise in educational attainment among adults age 25 and over in metropolitan statistical areas. The percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree increased from 34.2% during the 2015-2019 period to 37.8% during the 2020-2024 period.
“Over the last five years, we’ve noticed a significant increase in the percentage of adults completing higher education,” said Erik Hernandez, a Census Bureau statistician. “Approximately 89% of metro areas experienced an increase in the percentage of population 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher when compared to the 2015-2019 period.”
The Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area recorded one of the largest increases, rising from 45.3% to 53.4%. In contrast, Springfield, MA was the only metro area to see a decline, dropping from 32.8% to 29.3%.
Micropolitan statistical areas also saw gains; about half reported increases in educational attainment for those age 25 and over with at least a bachelor’s degree. Taos, NM had one of the largest improvements among micro areas, increasing from 28.7% to 38.5%.
Field-specific data showed varied trends across regions:
– In education degrees among college graduates age 25 and over, Gadsden, AL had one of the largest increases (24.5% to 29.1%), while Elizabethtown, KY saw one of the biggest decreases (19.0% to 13.0%).
– For science and engineering degrees in this group, Enid, OK rose from 24.8% to 33%, while Carson City, NV fell from 37.6% to 31%.
– Arts and humanities degrees saw Carson City increase from 19.5% to 27.5%, but Enid decreased from 21.7% to15.6%.
The ACS remains an important source for local demographic and housing statistics across more than forty topics nationwide.
Other highlights include changes in income and poverty rates:
– The U.S median household income for the latest ACS period was $80,734.
– Adjusted for inflation, national median household income increased by about four percent between periods.
– Most counties did not see statistically significant changes in median household income; however, some experienced increases or decreases.
– Over seventy percent of counties have median incomes below the national figure.
Poverty rates declined nationally from13 .4 %to12 .5 %, though results varied locally:
– Out of all counties analyzed ,858 had significant changes :663 saw decreases ,while195 had increases .
– Child poverty dropped significantly in most affected counties ;poverty among people aged65+ rose in many locations .
Broadband internet access also expanded:
– All metropolitan areas included in both survey periods reported growth in broadband subscriptions.
– Brownsville-Harlingen ,TX led these gains ,with subscription rates jumping nearly27 points .
Language use shifted as well :
– Las Cruces ,NM posted one ofthe largest risesin English-only speakers athome .
– Lakeland-Winter Haven ,FL registeredoneofthebiggest declines .
Population growth continued inthe nation’slargest cities.New York City added nearly287 ,000 households since2009.Los Angelesand Chicagoalsoreported substantialgrowth.Houston seensignificantincreasesinthe shareofnever-marriedadults.
The Census Bureau will release additional ACS data on March5 ,2026.More information is available through their official schedule online.The ACS provides guidance on using its datasets as well as resources for accessing older data via APIand summary files.Information about how metropolitanand micropolitanareas are defined is provided bythe Officeof Managementand Budget.Details regarding margins-of-errorandsampling methodsare published onthe CensusBureau website.
Survey participation nationwide made these findings possible.
