The level of education that a person possesses is a significant factor in determining their level of success and prosperity in today’s society. With that being said, there is a discernible disparity in the level of educational achievement that exists between the various areas of the United States. A recent survey that was carried out by 24/7 Wall Street, a website that provides financial news and analysis, shed light on the huge discrepancy that exists between the cities in each state that have the highest and lowest levels of education.
The manner in which the report was compiled
The United States Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey was the source of the collection of data that was utilized in this investigation. It included all census-designated places, boroughs, cities, towns, and villages that had a population that was greater than 25,000 people. One of the criteria that was used to determine the ranking of cities was the minimum proportion of persons aged 25 or older who possessed a bachelor’s degree or higher.
According to the research, the educational levels of adults were evaluated. These adults included those with a high school diploma, those with a high school diploma, those with some college or an associate’s degree, those with a bachelor’s degree, and those with a graduate or professional degree. Insightful information regarding the distribution of educational qualifications among the adult population was supplied by the report.
In addition, the study presented the median income of each educational cohort as well as the unemployment rates for adults between the ages of 25 and 64.
The city in Florida with the lowest average level of education
Based on the findings of a recent survey, West Little River, which is located in Miami-Dade County, has been recognized as the city in Florida with the lowest level of education. Remarkably, only 10.7% of the adult population in this census-designated area has obtained a bachelor’s degree or above. This is a very low percentage. This is a substantial decrease from the average for the state, which is 29.9%, as well as the average for the nation, which is 32.1%.
Additionally, it is important to note that West Little River has a sizeable population of adults who have not completed their high school education. The percentage of individuals in this category is 18.6%, which is nearly twice as high as the average for the state, which is 10.3%. When compared to the national median income of $45,536 per year, the median earnings for this group are significantly lower, coming in at only $21,459 per year. This is less than half of the national median income.
Comparing the number of adults in West Little River who have completed some college or hold an associate’s degree (24.4%) and those who have a graduate or professional degree (10.9%) to the averages for the state, which are 28.8% and 11.4%, respectively, the report indicates that West Little River has a smaller percentage of persons who have completed those levels of education. In addition, the median incomes of these groups are additionally lower than the median earnings of both the state and the nation.
The high unemployment rate of 6.4% over the past five years in West Little River could be a contributing reason to the poor educational attainment in the area. This rate has been sustained over the course of the last five years. During the same time period, this rate is higher than the averages for both the state and the nation, which were determined to be 4.7% and 4.6%, respectively. A person’s capacity to seek further education or to find occupations that pay greater wages might be significantly hindered by unemployment, which can have a big impact on their options.
Implications of having a poor level of education
A strong emphasis was placed in the study on the significance of education in terms of achieving both economic and social well-being. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who have completed their college degree typically earn 67% more than those who merely have a high school certificate. This is the case in most cases.
In addition, graduates of colleges and universities have lower rates of unemployment and improved job security prospects. Education is also a significant factor in determining an individual’s general quality of life, as well as their health and their level of participation in civic life.
According to the findings of the report, increasing access to high-quality education is one way to bring about a reduction in the gaps that exist between communities and regions in the United States. Educators and policymakers have a responsibility to overcome the obstacles that prohibit certain persons from pursuing higher education.
These obstacles include escalating tuition expenses, student debt, inadequate financial aid, family responsibilities, cultural norms, and learning difficulties. It is emphasized in the report that it is essential to take tangible actions in order to eliminate these obstacles and establish a fair playing field for all students to reach their full potential.
Conclusion
According to a survey that was published by 24/7 Wall Street, West Little River is the city in Florida with the lowest level of education. The number of adults in the city who have reached the level of a bachelor’s degree or more is relatively low, while the percentage of persons who have not completed their high school education is significant.
Additionally, the median incomes in West Little River are lower than the averages for both the state and the nation, and the unemployment rates are higher than the averages for both states. Not only did the study highlight the relevance of education for individuals, but it also highlighted the significance of education for society itself. Because of this, it suggested increasing the amount of work that is put into improving educational opportunities and accomplishments for all Americans.
This is the City with the Lowest Education Level in Florida.