In 1947, 30 years after Mississippi became the last state in the country to pass compulsory education laws, less than one in three American adults had a high school diploma. Today, a high school education is a given for the vast majority of Americans, and barely one in 10 American adults lack a diploma.
Despite the progress, educational attainment is far from even across the country. Though a high school diploma is a prerequisite for most jobs — and for nearly all high-salary positions — there are some parts of the country where more than one-third of Americans have not completed high school.
Click here to see the county with the fewest high school graduates in every state.
Click here to see the county with the most high school graduates in every state.
While every state has some attendance laws, requirements differ, with some making attendance compulsory through the age of 19, while others allow students to drop out at 17 or, in one case, after they have completed just eighth grade.
People drop out of high school for many different reasons. Among the most of common reasons are the need to support their family financially, pregnancy, drug use, or simply frustration after repeatedly failing classes or getting held back. These factors often depend on regional socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and crime. This means that in many states there is at least one county where at least 30% of adults do not have a high school diploma.
These are the counties where the fewest people have graduated from high school.
To determine the county where the fewest people have graduated high school, 24/7 Wall St. considered data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. All data listed, including average incomes based on educational attainment, are from the ACS, and are for five year periods ending in 2016.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1. Alabama: Bullock County
> Adults in Bullock County with at least a HS diploma: 66.6% (3,111 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alabama with at least a HS diploma: 85.1% (5th lowest)
> Adults in Bullock County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,289
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,483
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
> Adults in Kusilvak Census Area with at least a HS diploma: 78.4% (2,693 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alaska with at least a HS diploma: 93.1% (2nd highest)
> Adults in Kusilvak Census Area with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $7,976
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $15,363
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Source: Cbl62 / Wikimedia Commons
3. Arizona: Yuma County
> Adults in Yuma County with at least a HS diploma: 71.7% (3,051 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arizona with at least a HS diploma: 86.7% (14th lowest)
> Adults in Yuma County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,738
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,235
Source: Courtesy of Mike Norton via Flickr
4. Arkansas: Lee County
> Adults in Lee County with at least a HS diploma: 69.3% (3,083 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arkansas with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in Lee County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,382
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,147
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Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
5. California: Imperial County
> Adults in Imperial County with at least a HS diploma: 67.0% (3,108 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in California with at least a HS diploma: 82.4% (the lowest)
> Adults in Imperial County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,132
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $26,566
Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
6. Colorado: Costilla County
> Adults in Costilla County with at least a HS diploma: 77.0% (2,824 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Colorado with at least a HS diploma: 91.4% (13th highest)
> Adults in Costilla County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,143
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,281
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Source: JJBers / Flickr
7. Connecticut: Windham County
> Adults in Windham County with at least a HS diploma: 88.1% (1,384 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Connecticut with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (17th highest)
> Adults in Windham County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,625
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,478
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Source: Mobilus In Mobili / Flickr
8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Adults in Sussex County with at least a HS diploma: 86.2% (1,743 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Delaware with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Sussex County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,355
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,361
Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
9. Florida: Hendry County
> Adults in Hendry County with at least a HS diploma: 62.9% (3,128 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Florida with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (17th lowest)
> Adults in Hendry County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,757
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,776
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Source: Thomsonmg2000 / Wikimedia Commons
10. Georgia: Stewart County
> Adults in Stewart County with at least a HS diploma: 62.1% (3,130 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Georgia with at least a HS diploma: 86.4% (12th lowest)
> Adults in Stewart County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,695
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,266
Source: Djzanni / Wikimedia Commons
11. Hawaii: Kalawao County
> Adults in Kalawao County with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (830 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Hawaii with at least a HS diploma: 92.0% (9th highest)
> Adults in Kalawao County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,750
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: N/A
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Source: Solidago / Getty Images
12. Idaho: Clark County
> Adults in Clark County with at least a HS diploma: 69.5% (3,079 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Idaho with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Clark County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,271
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,345
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pasa/
13. Illinois: Alexander County
> Adults in Alexander County with at least a HS diploma: 75.0% (2,953 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Illinois with at least a HS diploma: 88.8% (21st lowest)
> Adults in Alexander County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,260
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,635
Source: Derek Jensen / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
14. Indiana: LaGrange County
> Adults in LaGrange County with at least a HS diploma: 64.3% (3,121 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Indiana with at least a HS diploma: 88.4% (19th lowest)
> Adults in LaGrange County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $38,235
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,178
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Source: Scott A. Miller / Wikimedia Commons
15. Iowa: Buena Vista County
> Adults in Buena Vista County with at least a HS diploma: 78.2% (2,717 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Iowa with at least a HS diploma: 91.8% (11th highest)
> Adults in Buena Vista County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,750
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,863
Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
16. Kansas: Seward County
> Adults in Seward County with at least a HS diploma: 65.3% (3,117 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kansas with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (17th highest)
> Adults in Seward County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $24,997
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,799
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Source: W.marsh / Wikimedia Commons
17. Kentucky: Clay County
> Adults in Clay County with at least a HS diploma: 63.7% (3,123 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kentucky with at least a HS diploma: 85.7% (7th lowest)
> Adults in Clay County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,476
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,711
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
18. Louisiana: East Carroll Parish
> Adults in East Carroll Parish with at least a HS diploma: 70.4% (3,071 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Louisiana with at least a HS diploma: 84.4% (4th lowest)
> Adults in East Carroll Parish with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $13,846
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,494
Source: Thinkstock
19. Maine: Aroostook County
> Adults in Aroostook County with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (1,537 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maine with at least a HS diploma: 92.3% (7th highest)
> Adults in Aroostook County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,224
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,081
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Source: Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr
20. Maryland: Somerset County
> Adults in Somerset County with at least a HS diploma: 79.2% (2,614 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maryland with at least a HS diploma: 90.1% (23rd highest)
> Adults in Somerset County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,208
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,843
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. Massachusetts: Bristol County
> Adults in Bristol County with at least a HS diploma: 83.7% (2,099 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Massachusetts with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Bristol County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,527
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,146
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Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
22. Michigan: Lake County
> Adults in Lake County with at least a HS diploma: 82.1% (2,318 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Michigan with at least a HS diploma: 90.4% (19th highest)
> Adults in Lake County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,429
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,095
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Source: Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons
23. Minnesota: Nobles County
> Adults in Nobles County with at least a HS diploma: 77.3% (2,797 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Minnesota with at least a HS diploma: 92.9% (3rd highest)
> Adults in Nobles County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,904
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,283
Source: Jerrye
24. Mississippi: Humphreys County
> Adults in Humphreys County with at least a HS diploma: 65.3% (3,117 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Mississippi with at least a HS diploma: 84.1% (3rd lowest)
> Adults in Humphreys County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,291
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,068
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Source: Adam Moss / Flickr
25. Missouri: Mississippi County
> Adults in Mississippi County with at least a HS diploma: 72.8% (3,023 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Missouri with at least a HS diploma: 89.6% (25th lowest)
> Adults in Mississippi County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $10,994
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,038
Source: J.B. Chandler / Wikimedia Commons
26. Montana: Wheatland County
> Adults in Wheatland County with at least a HS diploma: 75.9% (2,901 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Montana with at least a HS diploma: 92.8% (4th highest)
> Adults in Wheatland County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,174
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,656
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Nebraska: Colfax County
> Adults in Colfax County with at least a HS diploma: 71.5% (3,055 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nebraska with at least a HS diploma: 90.9% (15th highest)
> Adults in Colfax County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $30,230
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,630
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Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
28. Nevada: Pershing County
> Adults in Pershing County with at least a HS diploma: 78.2% (2,717 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nevada with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in Pershing County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $15,603
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,470
Source: Ken Lund / Flickr
29. New Hampshire: Coos County
> Adults in Coos County with at least a HS diploma: 87.9% (1,427 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Hampshire with at least a HS diploma: 92.8% (4th highest)
> Adults in Coos County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,161
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $26,180
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Source: Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons
30. New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a HS diploma: 77.3% (2,797 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Jersey with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,484
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,056
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. New Mexico: Luna County
> Adults in Luna County with at least a HS diploma: 69.3% (3,083 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Mexico with at least a HS diploma: 85.4% (6th lowest)
> Adults in Luna County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $11,111
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,946
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Source: Deberarr / iStock
32. New York: Bronx County
> Adults in Bronx County with at least a HS diploma: 71.2% (3,062 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New York with at least a HS diploma: 86.3% (11th lowest)
> Adults in Bronx County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,596
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,902
Source: Christaparker089 / Wikimedia Commons
33. North Carolina: Duplin County
> Adults in Duplin County with at least a HS diploma: 72.0% (3,046 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 87.3% (16th lowest)
> Adults in Duplin County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,196
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,246
Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons
34. North Dakota: McIntosh County
> Adults in McIntosh County with at least a HS diploma: 81.6% (2,366 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 92.4% (6th highest)
> Adults in McIntosh County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,542
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,667
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Source: Alvintrusty / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio: Holmes County
> Adults in Holmes County with at least a HS diploma: 58.5% (3,136 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Ohio with at least a HS diploma: 90.0% (25th highest)
> Adults in Holmes County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $32,360
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,774
Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons
36. Oklahoma: Texas County
> Adults in Texas County with at least a HS diploma: 71.7% (3,051 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oklahoma with at least a HS diploma: 87.8% (18th lowest)
> Adults in Texas County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,469
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,093
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
37. Oregon: Morrow County
> Adults in Morrow County with at least a HS diploma: 75.1% (2,946 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oregon with at least a HS diploma: 90.3% (22nd highest)
> Adults in Morrow County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,542
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,362
Source: Idawriter / Wikimedia Commons
38. Pennsylvania: Forest County
> Adults in Forest County with at least a HS diploma: 80.8% (2,436 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Pennsylvania with at least a HS diploma: 90.1% (23rd highest)
> Adults in Forest County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $13,453
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $15,217
Source: Thinkstock
39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Adults in Providence County with at least a HS diploma: 83.2% (2,176 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Rhode Island with at least a HS diploma: 88.5% (20th lowest)
> Adults in Providence County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,264
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,228
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Source: Bill Fitzpatrick / Wikimedia Commons
40. South Carolina: Dillon County
> Adults in Dillon County with at least a HS diploma: 72.8% (3,023 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 86.6% (13th lowest)
> Adults in Dillon County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,843
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $20,600
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
41. South Dakota: Buffalo County
> Adults in Buffalo County with at least a HS diploma: 77.5% (2,779 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 91.2% (14th highest)
> Adults in Buffalo County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,778
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $17,778
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Source: Flickr user chiacomo / Wikimedia Commons
42. Tennessee: Lake County
> Adults in Lake County with at least a HS diploma: 73.1% (3,017 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Tennessee with at least a HS diploma: 87.0% (15th lowest)
> Adults in Lake County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,071
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,600
24/7 Wall St.
Source: montezano / Wikimedia Commons
43. Texas: Starr County
> Adults in Starr County with at least a HS diploma: 48.5% (3,142 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Texas with at least a HS diploma: 82.9% (2nd lowest)
> Adults in Starr County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $12,865
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $18,276
Source: kenlund / Wikimedia Commons
44. Utah: Piute County
> Adults in Piute County with at least a HS diploma: 83.0% (2,207 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Utah with at least a HS diploma: 91.7% (12th highest)
> Adults in Piute County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,857
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Source: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / Wikimedia Commons
45. Vermont: Essex County
> Adults in Essex County with at least a HS diploma: 84.3% (2,008 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Vermont with at least a HS diploma: 92.1% (8th highest)
> Adults in Essex County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,806
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,438
Source: Virginia Department of Transportation's photostream / Flickr
46. Virginia: Buchanan County
> Adults in Buchanan County with at least a HS diploma: 70.0% (3,075 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 89.3% (24th lowest)
> Adults in Buchanan County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,175
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,968
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Source: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons
47. Washington: Adams County
> Adults in Adams County with at least a HS diploma: 66.1% (3,114 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Washington with at least a HS diploma: 90.8% (16th highest)
> Adults in Adams County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,321
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,650
Source: NASKWV / Flickr
48. West Virginia: McDowell County
> Adults in McDowell County with at least a HS diploma: 64.9% (3,119 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in West Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 86.0% (10th lowest)
> Adults in McDowell County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,304
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $22,931
Source: TheCatalyst31 / Wikimedia Commons
49. Wisconsin: Clark County
> Adults in Clark County with at least a HS diploma: 81.6% (2,366 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wisconsin with at least a HS diploma: 91.9% (10th highest)
> Adults in Clark County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,635
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,222
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Source: Sam Beebe / Wikimedia Commons
50. Wyoming: Washakie County
> Adults in Washakie County with at least a HS diploma: 87.4% (1,537 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wyoming with at least a HS diploma: 93.2% (the highest)
> Adults in Washakie County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,276
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,242
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