Disparities in Education Across ZIP Codes
It’s quite a contrast, really.
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, only 1% of adults hold a college degree, which makes it the least educated ZIP code in the country according to recent U.S. Census Bureau data. This stark figure highlights significant educational inequalities throughout the United States.
Meanwhile, in a bustling area of Boston’s Seaport District, about 95.7% of adults have completed higher education. Here, the average home price sits at an impressive $1.3 million, showcasing a stark difference.
This information stems from an analysis of data collected in the American Community Survey from 2020 to 2024, released in 2026. The goal was to identify the 50 most and least educated ZIP codes among over 41,500 valid ones.
Short Hills, New Jersey (07078) claims the second spot, with 93.5% of adults aged 25 and older holding a college degree, while Kenilworth, Illinois (60043), a well-off suburb of Chicago, follows closely at 93.3%.
Suburbs near New York City also rank highly in educational achievements. Irvington, NY (10533) is 14th nationally, with 90% of adults having a college degree, and Jersey City’s 07310 ranks in the top 25 with 89.5%.
In a lesser fortunate situation, Green Bay’s 54307 ZIP code ranks at the bottom for educational attainment, with hardly any adults over 25 possessing a degree. Close behind are Kincheloe, Michigan (49784) at 2%, and Brickey’s, Arkansas (72320) at 3%.
Experts suggest that the trend toward higher education may only continue to rise.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a marked increase in how many adults are attaining higher degrees,” said Eric Hernandez, a statistician at the Census Bureau. He notes that nearly 89% of metropolitan areas showed growth in the percentage of adults aged 25 and above with at least a bachelor’s degree when compared to the 2015-2019 period.
That said, with the evolving landscape due to AI, many Gen Z graduates are realizing that their degrees may not hold as much value as anticipated. After years of effort and significant tuition expenses, some find themselves competing with technology rather than securing traditional jobs.
A 2024 study by Pew revealed that just 22% of U.S. adults think a four-year degree is worth the expense, especially if it requires loans.
For a lot of younger Americans, exploring trade schools, community colleges, or alternative training might be a more sensible route.
In New York State, around 49.6% of adults aged 25 and above have earned a four-year degree or higher. Following Irvington, the prestigious Upper East Side area (10065) boasts 87.3%, closely trailed by Lenox Hill’s 10075 at 87%.
Brooklyn also features in the top ranks, with the Park Slope area (11215) at 20th place and Brooklyn Heights (11201) at 28th.
Conversely, Raybrook (12977), located near Lake Placid in Essex County, has the lowest educational attainment rate in New York, with only 2.8% of adults having a college degree.
