The 50 least educated towns and cities in Massachusetts

By Tess Halpern | Posted July 15, 2018 at 05:00 AM |

Updated July 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM

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Jessie Jacobson, flickr

By Tess Halpern I MassLive.com

Massachusetts was named the most educated state in the country in 2018.
While our average is high, some communities have lower educational rates than others.
These are the 50 least educated towns and cities in Massachusetts, according to Census data. Locations were compared by the percentage of residents age 25 and over that have at least a bachelor's degree. Figures with a margin of error over 10 percent were excluded.

Also, check out the 50 most educated towns and cities.

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

50. Holyoke, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 25.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 20.8
Percent with high school degree: 27.6
Percent with bachelor's degree: 16
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 9.5

Mark Goebel, flickr

49. Ashby, Middlesex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 25.4 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 7.1
Percent with high school degree: 37.8
Percent with bachelor's degree: 15.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 10.3

Winthrop Congregational church, Holbrook, MA, facebook

48. Holbrook, Norfolk County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 25.3 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 4.1
Percent with high school degree: 33.8
Percent with bachelor's degree: 17.7
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.6

Qfamily, flickr

47. Hardwick, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 25.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 7.2
Percent with high school degree: 37.6
Percent with bachelor's degree: 16.2
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 9

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

46. Shirley, Middlesex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 24.9 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 13.8
Percent with high school degree: 38.5
Percent with bachelor's degree: 17.7
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.2

Rudi Riet, flickr

45. Peru, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 24.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.6
Percent with high school degree: 38.1
Percent with bachelor's degree: 18.2
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.2

Paul Morris, flickr

44. Granville, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 24.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 3.3
Percent with high school degree: 41.5
Percent with bachelor's degree: 19.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 4.7

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

43. North Adams, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 23.8 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 16.6
Percent with high school degree: 35.1
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 9.7

Scott, flickr

42. Somerset, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 23.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 14.5
Percent with high school degree: 31.2
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 8.8

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

41. Wareham, Plymouth County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 23.5 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 9.5
Percent with high school degree: 35.4
Percent with bachelor's degree: 15.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 8.4

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

40. Middlefield, Hampshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 23.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 3.1
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 10.8

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

39. Adams, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 11.2
Percent with high school degree: 40.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.8

Wolfrage, flickr

Tied 37. Carver, Plymouth County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 10.8
Percent with high school degree: 34.4
Percent with bachelor's degree: 16.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.4

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 37. Swansea, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 12.6
Percent with high school degree: 32
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.6
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 9.1

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

36. Lowell, Middlesex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.3 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 20.3
Percent with high school degree: 33.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 9.2

Doug Kerr, flickr

Tied 34. Ware, Hampshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 8.9
Percent with high school degree: 40.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 15.4
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.8

JJBers, flickr

Tied 34. Webster, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 16.1
Percent with high school degree: 35.4
Percent with bachelor's degree: 15.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.9

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

33. Spencer, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 22 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 12.7
Percent with high school degree: 37
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 8.9

Charles Flint, facebook

32. Clarksburg, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 21.9 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.2
Percent with high school degree: 46.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 17.5
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 4.3

Rusty Clark, flickr

31. Ludlow, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 21.8 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 16.5
Percent with high school degree: 33.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.5
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.3

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 29. Chester, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 21.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.9
Percent with high school degree: 37.2
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.7

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 29. Phillipston, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 21.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.7
Percent with high school degree: 38.9
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.5
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 8.1

Qfamily, flickr

28. Warren, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 21 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.3
Percent with high school degree: 47.8
Percent with bachelor's degree: 19.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 1.8

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

27. Florida, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 20.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 10.7
Percent with high school degree: 46.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.6

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 25. Fitchburg, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 20.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 17.8
Percent with high school degree: 34.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.2

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 25. Taunton, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 20.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 16.6
Percent with high school degree: 33.8
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.2
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.9

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

24. Acushnet, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 20.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 17.9
Percent with high school degree: 36.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 14.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.2

Eric Kilby, flickr

23. Revere, Suffolk County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 19.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 17.4
Percent with high school degree: 38.6
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.4

massmatt, flickr

22. Lynn, Essex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 19.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 20.7
Percent with high school degree: 32.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 13.5
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.1

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

21. Cheshire, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 19.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.3
Percent with high school degree: 37.9
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

20. Templeton, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 18.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 9.5
Percent with high school degree: 37.5
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.5

IanJMatchett, flickr

19. Huntington, Hampshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 18.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 5.8
Percent with high school degree: 37.6
Percent with bachelor's degree: 11.1
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.2

IanJMatchett, flickr

Tied 16. Chicopee, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 18.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 14.7
Percent with high school degree: 37
Percent with bachelor's degree: 11.6
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.6

dvs, flickr

Tied 16. Monroe, Franklin County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 18.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 4.2
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 2.8

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 16. Winchendon, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 18.1 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 11.9
Percent with high school degree: 36.5
Percent with bachelor's degree: 11.7
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.5

Digital Bookmobile, flickr

Tied 14. Everett, Middlesex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.9 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 19.2
Percent with high school degree: 37.2
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12.5
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.4

discosour, flickr

Tied 14. Wales, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.9 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.5
Percent with high school degree: 39.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12.8
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.1

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

13. Springfield, Hampden County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.8 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 22.9
Percent with high school degree: 31.1
Percent with bachelor's degree: 10.7
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.1

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 11. Gardner, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 13.7
Percent with high school degree: 36.9
Percent with bachelor's degree: 11
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.6

Doug Kerr, flickr

Tied 11. Southbridge, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 17.5
Percent with high school degree: 35
Percent with bachelor's degree: 11.2
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.5

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

10. Athol, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.6 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 13.5
Percent with high school degree: 38.1
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12.6
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5

Ivan Martinez, facebook

9. Chelsea, Suffolk County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.5 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 32.8
Percent with high school degree: 32.8
Percent with bachelor's degree: 10.4
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 7.1

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 7. Brockton, Plymouth County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.3 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 18.6
Percent with high school degree: 35.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 12
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.3

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

Tied 7. Savoy, Berkshire County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 17.3 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 13.6
Percent with high school degree: 43.6
Percent with bachelor's degree: 10.6
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.7

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

6. Royalston, Worcester County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 16.9 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 10.8
Percent with high school degree: 40.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 8.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 8

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

5. New Bedford, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 15.8 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 27.3
Percent with high school degree: 32.3
Percent with bachelor's degree: 10.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 5.5

Doug Kerr, flickr

4. Orange, Franklin County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 15.7 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 11.9
Percent with high school degree: 41.4
Percent with bachelor's degree: 9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 6.7

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

3. Fall River, Bristol County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 14.4 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 27.9
Percent with high school degree: 33
Percent with bachelor's degree: 9.8
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 4.6

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, flickr

2. Erving, Franklin County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 14 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 6.1
Percent with high school degree: 43.2
Percent with bachelor's degree: 9.3
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 4.7

Henry Zbyszynski, flickr

1. Lawrence, Essex County

Population over 25 with at least a bachelor's degree: 11.2 percent
Percent with no high school degree: 32.5
Percent with high school degree: 33.7
Percent with bachelor's degree: 7.9
Percent with graduate/professional degree: 3.3

6 comments:

Bob MJuly 16, 2018 at 5:35 PM
The scariest part about this is the grouping within the top 30.
29- Phillipston
25-Fitchburg
20- Templeton
16- Winchendon
11- Gardner
10- athol
6- Royalston
4- Orange
2-Erving

Look at all the Towns surrounding Templeton. They are in the bottom 10% of the educated towns in MA. Templeton, Gardner Winchendon, Phillipston, royalston.
Bob MJuly 16, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Remember, there are 351 Towns in MA. Templeton is 331
JustsmartenuffJuly 16, 2018 at 6:52 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. FarrellJuly 17, 2018 at 8:33 AM
The data presented raises some questions:

What is the definition of education?

There is a correlation between the level of education and income.

The founder of this Blog - Paul H Cosentino, Sr. had an eighth grade education and went on to be a successful businessman.

How many young adults do you know that are saddled with incredible (insurmountable?) student debt racked up while attending college?

How many young adults who were born and raised in these communities have attained a higher level of education, but have moved away?

Something to think about.
JustsmartenuffJuly 17, 2018 at 3:39 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.

Pauly's Templeton Watch

Monday, July 16, 2018

Templeton is number 20!

The 50 least educated towns and cities in Massachusetts

6 comments: