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Greater Washington Maintains #1 Ranking in Educational Attainment Among Major U.S. Metro Regions
Washington, DC, September 13, 2007 – Greater Washington ranks first in the nation among U.S. metropolitan regions in educational attainment, according to recently released U.S. Census data.
Just over 46% of Greater Washington’s population over the age of 25 has a Bachelor’s degree or higher. This is an increase of nearly 4% since 2000. San Jose ranks 2nd at a little over 43%.
Greater Washington also has the highest percentage of people with advanced degrees, at almost 22%, again ahead of San Jose which has 18%. This is an increase of 3% since 2000.
This data is consistent with and reinforces the fact that Greater Washington is a leading talent capital. In March, the Greater Washington Initiative released a study, titled “Human Capital: Greater Washington’s Knowledge Workers,” which showed that Greater Washington boasts the nation’s highest concentration of knowledge workers among all metro areas with more than one million residents.
In addition, the Greater Washington Initiative’s 2007 Regional Report showed that 44% of Greater Washington’s foreign-born population of 25 or older has a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
“Between our strong educational systems, our diversity, and our growing economy, it’s no surprise that Greater Washington’s population is well-educated and ready to perform in the marketplace,” said Steven Pedigo, Director of Research at the Greater Washington Initiative. “Our residents have a thirst for knowledge, and we are fortunate that Greater Washington’s job opportunities and quality of life make them want to stay.”
Greater Washington has more than 50 colleges and universities based in the region, with approximately 400,000 residents enrolled (29% in graduate programs). Greater Washington ranks first among major metropolitan areas for attracting and retaining recent university graduates – performing 60% better than the national average.
Top 10 Metros: BA and Above (% of Residents 25 and Older)
| Rank | Metro Area | BA and Above % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area | 46.10% |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area | 43.40% |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metro Area | 42.40% |
| 4 | Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metro Area | 40.60% |
| 5 | Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area | 38.80% |
| 6 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metro Area | 36.30% |
| 7 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area | 36.10% |
| 8 | Denver-Aurora, CO Metro Area | 35.60% |
| 9 | New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area | 34.50% |
| 10 | Baltimore-Towson, MD Metro Area | 33.60% |
| Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey, 2006. | ||
Top 10 Metros: Advanced Degree
(% of Residents 25 and Older)
| Rank | Metro Area | Advanced Degree % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area | 21.50% |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area | 18.60% |
| 3 | Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metro Area | 17.60% |
| 4 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metro Area | 16.40% |
| 5 | Baltimore-Towson, MD Metro Area | 14.60% |
| 6 | New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area | 14.10% |
| 7 | Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area | 13.20% |
| 8 | San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Metro Area | 12.70% |
| 9 | Denver-Aurora, CO Metro Area | 12.60% |
| 10 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area | 12.60% |
| Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey, 2006. | ||
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The Greater Washington Initiative ( GWI) is the regional economic development marketing organization that promotes the area encompassing the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland as a premier business location. GWI is an affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. For more information, visit www.greaterwashington.org .
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