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. While in some parts of the country high school graduation rates are relatively low, in others, well over 95% of adults have a high school diploma.
Click here to see the county with the most high school graduates in every state.
Click here to see the county with the fewest high school graduates in every state.
Every state has some attendance laws, but requirements differ by state, with some allowing students to drop out at 17 or even after they have completed eighth grade. Others, on the other hand, make education compulsory through the age of 19. Laws also differ on how long students are allowed to attend. Alabama’s state law only provides free education through the age of 17, while in some states, students may attend through the age of 22.
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 over 90% of adults have a diploma. In some, over 95% do.
To determine the county where the most 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. In the case of Virginia, the geography listed is a city, which the Census Bureau treats as a county equivalent.
Source: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers / Wikimedia Commons
1. Alabama: Shelby County
> Adults in Shelby County with at least a HS diploma: 91.6% (581 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alabama with at least a HS diploma: 85.1 (5th lowest)
> Adults in Shelby County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,978
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,310
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Source: Mike Colvin from Manchester, UK / Wikimedia Commons
2. Alaska: Skagway Municipality
> Adults in Skagway Municipality with at least a HS diploma: 96.5% (15 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Alaska with at least a HS diploma: 93.1 (2nd highest)
> Adults in Skagway Municipality with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,938
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,135
Source: Ken Lund / Flickr
3. Arizona: Yavapai County
> Adults in Yavapai County with at least a HS diploma: 90.2% (892 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arizona with at least a HS diploma: 86.7 (14th lowest)
> Adults in Yavapai County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,924
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $23,591
Source: Ronny2756 / Wikimedia Commons
4. Arkansas: Faulkner County
> Adults in Faulkner County with at least a HS diploma: 91.1% (695 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Arkansas with at least a HS diploma: 86.0 (10th lowest)
> Adults in Faulkner County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $26,265
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,110
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Source: Miguel Vieira / Wikimedia Commons
5. California: Placer County
> Adults in Placer County with at least a HS diploma: 94.2% (157 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in California with at least a HS diploma: 82.4 (the lowest)
> Adults in Placer County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,234
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,309
Source: Jeffrey Beall / Wikimedia Commons
6. Colorado: Gilpin County
> Adults in Gilpin County with at least a HS diploma: 98.0% (2 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Colorado with at least a HS diploma: 91.4 (13th highest)
> Adults in Gilpin County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $14,861
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,700
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Source: Thinkstock
7. Connecticut: Middlesex County
> Adults in Middlesex County with at least a HS diploma: 93.8% (195 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Connecticut with at least a HS diploma: 90.5 (17th highest)
> Adults in Middlesex County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,118
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $38,683
Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
8. Delaware: New Castle County
> Adults in New Castle County with at least a HS diploma: 90.5% (830 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Delaware with at least a HS diploma: 89.3 (24th lowest)
> Adults in New Castle County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 35.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $22,937
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,888
Source: Thinkstock
9. Florida: St. Johns County
> Adults in St. Johns County with at least a HS diploma: 94.7% (103 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Florida with at least a HS diploma: 87.4 (17th lowest)
> Adults in St. Johns County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 42.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,024
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,753
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Source: RobHainer / iStock
10. Georgia: Fayette County
> Adults in Fayette County with at least a HS diploma: 94.6% (116 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Georgia with at least a HS diploma: 86.4 (12th lowest)
> Adults in Fayette County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 45.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,793
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,518
Source: Thinkstock
11. Hawaii: Kauai County
> Adults in Kauai County with at least a HS diploma: 91.9% (503 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Hawaii with at least a HS diploma: 92.0 (9th highest)
> Adults in Kauai County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $23,245
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,200
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Source: Ken Lund / Flickr
12. Idaho: Madison County
> Adults in Madison County with at least a HS diploma: 96.2% (22 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Idaho with at least a HS diploma: 90.4 (19th highest)
> Adults in Madison County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,756
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $21,961
Source: Michael from Palatine, Illinois / Wikimedia Commons
13. Illinois: McLean County
> Adults in McLean County with at least a HS diploma: 95.6% (42 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Illinois with at least a HS diploma: 88.8 (21st lowest)
> Adults in McLean County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,347
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,164
Source: Thinkstock
14. Indiana: Hamilton County
> Adults in Hamilton County with at least a HS diploma: 96.0% (27 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Indiana with at least a HS diploma: 88.4 (19th lowest)
> Adults in Hamilton County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 56.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $24,254
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,829
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Source: Carl Wycoff / Wikimedia Commons
15. Iowa: Story County
> Adults in Story County with at least a HS diploma: 96.3% (19 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Iowa with at least a HS diploma: 91.8 (11th highest)
> Adults in Story County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 50.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $16,060
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $33,023
Source: Stephen Edmonds / Flickr
16. Kansas: Johnson County
> Adults in Johnson County with at least a HS diploma: 95.8% (33 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kansas with at least a HS diploma: 90.5 (17th highest)
> Adults in Johnson County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 53.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $22,344
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,193
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Source: dadonk / iStock
17. Kentucky: Oldham County
> Adults in Oldham County with at least a HS diploma: 92.8% (335 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Kentucky with at least a HS diploma: 85.7 (7th lowest)
> Adults in Oldham County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,900
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,309
Source: Thinkstock
18. Louisiana: East Baton Rouge Parish
> Adults in East Baton Rouge Parish with at least a HS diploma: 90.2% (892 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Louisiana with at least a HS diploma: 84.4 (4th lowest)
> Adults in East Baton Rouge Parish with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,609
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,107
Source: Rapidfire / Wikimedia Commons
19. Maine: Cumberland County
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a HS diploma: 94.5% (119 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maine with at least a HS diploma: 92.3 (7th highest)
> Adults in Cumberland County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,547
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,460
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Source: Thinkstock
20. Maryland: Howard County
> Adults in Howard County with at least a HS diploma: 95.3% (65 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Maryland with at least a HS diploma: 90.1 (23rd highest)
> Adults in Howard County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 61.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,542
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $33,513
Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons
21. Massachusetts: Barnstable County
> Adults in Barnstable County with at least a HS diploma: 95.4% (53 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Massachusetts with at least a HS diploma: 90.4 (19th highest)
> Adults in Barnstable County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $26,226
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,622
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Source: Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons
22. Michigan: Livingston County
> Adults in Livingston County with at least a HS diploma: 95.1% (74 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Michigan with at least a HS diploma: 90.4 (19th highest)
> Adults in Livingston County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,929
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,880
Source: Bjoertvedt / Wikimedia Commons
23. Minnesota: Washington County
> Adults in Washington County with at least a HS diploma: 96.0% (27 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Minnesota with at least a HS diploma: 92.9 (3rd highest)
> Adults in Washington County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 42.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $28,721
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $35,797
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24. Mississippi: Lamar County
> Adults in Lamar County with at least a HS diploma: 92.1% (469 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Mississippi with at least a HS diploma: 84.1 (3rd lowest)
> Adults in Lamar County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.8%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $22,537
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $26,502
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Source: Creative Commons / Wikimedia Commons
25. Missouri: Platte County
> Adults in Platte County with at least a HS diploma: 95.3% (65 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Missouri with at least a HS diploma: 89.6 (25th lowest)
> Adults in Platte County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,308
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,288
Source: J.B. Chandler / Wikimedia Commons
26. Montana: Petroleum County
> Adults in Petroleum County with at least a HS diploma: 97.8% (6 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Montana with at least a HS diploma: 92.8 (4th highest)
> Adults in Petroleum County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.3%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $29,750
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Source: Ammodramus / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Nebraska: Blaine County
> Adults in Blaine County with at least a HS diploma: 98.7% (1 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nebraska with at least a HS diploma: 90.9 (15th highest)
> Adults in Blaine County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $29,063
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Brian W. Schaller / Wikimedia Commons
28. Nevada: Storey County
> Adults in Storey County with at least a HS diploma: 94.0% (173 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Nevada with at least a HS diploma: 86.0 (10th lowest)
> Adults in Storey County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $51,625
Source: Kirkikis / iStock
29. New Hampshire: Rockingham County
> Adults in Rockingham County with at least a HS diploma: 94.8% (93 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Hampshire with at least a HS diploma: 92.8 (4th highest)
> Adults in Rockingham County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $30,020
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $37,604
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Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
30. New Jersey: Hunterdon County
> Adults in Hunterdon County with at least a HS diploma: 94.7% (103 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Jersey with at least a HS diploma: 89.3 (24th lowest)
> Adults in Hunterdon County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 49.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $22,149
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $40,210
Source: Dean_Fikar / iStock
31. New Mexico: Los Alamos County
> Adults in Los Alamos County with at least a HS diploma: 97.2% (10 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New Mexico with at least a HS diploma: 85.4 (6th lowest)
> Adults in Los Alamos County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 64.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,130
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Source: Mw13068 / Wikimedia Commons
32. New York: Tompkins County
> Adults in Tompkins County with at least a HS diploma: 94.5% (119 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in New York with at least a HS diploma: 86.3 (11th lowest)
> Adults in Tompkins County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 51.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,194
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,608
24/7 Wall St.
Source: John Stanton / Wikimedia Commons
33. North Carolina: Dare County
> Adults in Dare County with at least a HS diploma: 92.5% (390 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 87.3 (16th lowest)
> Adults in Dare County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,659
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,292
Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons
34. North Dakota: Adams County
> Adults in Adams County with at least a HS diploma: 96.0% (27 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in North Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 92.4 (6th highest)
> Adults in Adams County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,362
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Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio: Delaware County
> Adults in Delaware County with at least a HS diploma: 96.6% (13 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Ohio with at least a HS diploma: 90.0 (25th highest)
> Adults in Delaware County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 52.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,528
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,873
Source: Neurosynthetic / Wikimedia Commons
36. Oklahoma: Roger Mills County
> Adults in Roger Mills County with at least a HS diploma: 91.9% (503 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oklahoma with at least a HS diploma: 87.8 (18th lowest)
> Adults in Roger Mills County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $40,438
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $32,865
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Source: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives / Wikimedia Commons
37. Oregon: Benton County
> Adults in Benton County with at least a HS diploma: 95.0% (77 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Oregon with at least a HS diploma: 90.3 (22nd highest)
> Adults in Benton County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 53.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,795
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $24,828
24/7 Wall St.
Source: TheZachMorrisExperience / Wikimedia Commons
38. Pennsylvania: Allegheny County
> Adults in Allegheny County with at least a HS diploma: 93.9% (182 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Pennsylvania with at least a HS diploma: 90.1 (23rd highest)
> Adults in Allegheny County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.1%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $18,474
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $28,174
Source: Swampyank / Wikimedia Commons
39. Rhode Island: Washington County
> Adults in Washington County with at least a HS diploma: 93.5% (231 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Rhode Island with at least a HS diploma: 88.5 (20th lowest)
> Adults in Washington County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $25,765
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $34,886
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Source: fallbrook / iStock
40. South Carolina: Beaufort County
> Adults in Beaufort County with at least a HS diploma: 92.4% (408 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Carolina with at least a HS diploma: 86.6 (13th lowest)
> Adults in Beaufort County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $19,313
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $25,915
Source: brookingscountysd.gov
41. South Dakota: Brookings County
> Adults in Brookings County with at least a HS diploma: 95.7% (37 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in South Dakota with at least a HS diploma: 91.2 (14th highest)
> Adults in Brookings County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $17,000
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,439
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Source: csfotoimages / iStock
42. Tennessee: Williamson County
> Adults in Williamson County with at least a HS diploma: 95.6% (42 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Tennessee with at least a HS diploma: 87.0 (15th lowest)
> Adults in Williamson County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 56.6%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,358
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $33,281
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Ammodramus / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
43. Texas: Roberts County
> Adults in Roberts County with at least a HS diploma: 93.9% (182 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Texas with at least a HS diploma: 82.9 (2nd lowest)
> Adults in Roberts County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.5%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,639
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $29,750
Source: GreenGlass1972 / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
44. Utah: Morgan County
> Adults in Morgan County with at least a HS diploma: 97.9% (4 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Utah with at least a HS diploma: 91.7 (12th highest)
> Adults in Morgan County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 38.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $45,795
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $36,515
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Source: Thinkstock
45. Vermont: Chittenden County
> Adults in Chittenden County with at least a HS diploma: 93.9% (182 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Vermont with at least a HS diploma: 92.1 (8th highest)
> Adults in Chittenden County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 49.4%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,156
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,829
Source: Thinkstock
46. Virginia: Falls Church
> Adults in Falls Church with at least a HS diploma: 98.0% (2 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 89.3 (24th lowest)
> Adults in Falls Church with at least a bachelor’s degree: 80.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: N/A
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $27,361
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Source: Ian Poellet / Wikimedia Commons
47. Washington: Garfield County
> Adults in Garfield County with at least a HS diploma: 96.4% (17 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Washington with at least a HS diploma: 90.8 (16th highest)
> Adults in Garfield County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.2%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $20,625
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,625
Source: Roger B Wise / Wikimedia Commons
48. West Virginia: Putnam County
> Adults in Putnam County with at least a HS diploma: 92.0% (488 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in West Virginia with at least a HS diploma: 86.0 (10th lowest)
> Adults in Putnam County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.0%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $21,765
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,833
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
49. Wisconsin: Ozaukee County
> Adults in Ozaukee County with at least a HS diploma: 96.3% (19 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wisconsin with at least a HS diploma: 91.9 (10th highest)
> Adults in Ozaukee County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 46.7%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $24,429
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $31,597
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/denverjeffrey/
50. Wyoming: Albany County
> Adults in Albany County with at least a HS diploma: 95.8% (33 out of 3,142 counties)
> Adults in Wyoming with at least a HS diploma: 93.2 (the highest)
> Adults in Albany County with at least a bachelor’s degree: 47.9%
> Avg. earnings for county residents without HS diploma: $27,866
> Avg. earnings for county residents with HS diploma: $30,025
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