The U.S. Census Bureau has released new American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, showing notable increases in educational attainment among adults age 25 and over in metropolitan statistical areas. The percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher in these areas rose from 34.2% during the 2015-2019 period to 37.8% during the 2020-2024 period.
“Over the last five years, we’ve noticed a significant increase in the percentage of adults completing higher education,” said Erik Hernandez, a Census Bureau statistician. “Approximately 89% of metro areas experienced an increase in the percentage of population 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher when compared to the 2015-2019 period.”
Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina, saw one of the largest gains among metro areas, with its share of adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree rising from 45.3% to 53.4%. In contrast, Springfield, Massachusetts was the only metro area where this figure declined, dropping from 32.8% to 29.3%.
In micropolitan statistical areas—smaller urban centers—about half also recorded increases in educational attainment for those age 25 and older. Taos, New Mexico had one of the most significant changes in this group, with an increase from 28.7% to 38.5%.
The ACS data also analyzed fields of study among college graduates aged 25 and over:
– In education fields, Gadsden, Alabama saw an increase from 24.5% to 29.1%, while Elizabethtown, Kentucky dropped from 19% to 13%.
– For science and engineering degrees, Enid, Oklahoma rose from 24.8% to 33%, but Carson City, Nevada fell from 37.6% to 31%.
– In arts and humanities fields, Carson City increased from 19.5% to 27.5%, while Enid decreased from 21.7% to 15.6%.
The ACS is recognized as a primary source for local statistics on more than forty topics about people and housing across communities nationwide.
Median household income for the United States during the same period was $80,734 (in inflation-adjusted dollars), reflecting a national increase of about four percent since the previous five-year estimate cycle.
Most counties did not see statistically significant changes in median household income; however, some did experience increases or decreases during this timeframe.
Nationally, poverty rates improved slightly: The overall poverty rate dropped from 13.4% to 12.5%. Changes varied by county and demographic group: poverty rates decreased for children under eighteen in many counties but increased for those aged sixty-five and over in most counties.
Broadband internet access also expanded across metropolitan areas between survey periods; Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas had one of the largest jumps—from 57.5% to 84.4%. All major metropolitan regions showed gains in broadband subscriptions except two micro areas that reported declines.
Language use at home shifted as well: Las Cruces, New Mexico saw an increase in English-only speakers at home (from 48.7% to 54.7%), while Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida experienced a decrease (from 77.7% to 72.2%). Spanish was spoken at home by nearly a quarter of Lakeland-Winter Haven residents during this period.
Large cities such as New York City and Los Angeles added substantial numbers of households since the earliest available ACS data (2005–2009). Houston showed notable growth in both never-married men and women among its adult population.
The Office of Management and Budget defines metropolitan areas as regions anchored by urban centers with populations above fifty thousand; micropolitan areas are defined by smaller core populations but similar integration criteria.
All results have been tested for statistical significance at a ninety percent confidence level unless otherwise noted.
The Census Bureau will release additional Public Use Microdata Sample files on March 5, 2026.
