Least educated counties in Kentucky
The value of traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step toward the American dream, growing costs have led many students to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push others toward learning a trade or entering the workforce early.
These considerations aside, national statistics show a clear difference in earnings as they relate to educational attainment, as college graduates typically earn 65% more than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, Stacker compiled a list of the least educated counties in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the lowest percent of the population 25 years and over that has a Bachelor's degree or higher. Ties are broken by the highest percent with less than high school diploma.
Keep read on for a look at the least-educated counties in Kentucky.
#50. Fulton County
- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.9% ($18,615 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($21,432)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($29,375)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($40,417)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($41,346)
#49. Cumberland County
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.2% ($18,009 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($21,786)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($26,219)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($32,031)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($80,379)
#48. Bracken County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($49,850 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.4% ($40,795)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($30,168)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($47,823)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($51,544)
#47. Pendleton County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($32,823 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($31,737)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($36,782)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($53,649)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($46,946)
#46. Todd County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($30,538 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($30,174)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($32,398)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($52,037)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($55,548)
#45. Green County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.5% ($21,709 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.8% ($29,554)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.6% ($30,833)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($41,897)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($29,028)
#44. Henry County
- 13.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($27,871 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($27,649)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($31,663)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($43,958)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($43,571)
#43. Crittenden County
- 13.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($23,438 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($31,347)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.7% ($32,220)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($46,071)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($60,667)
#42. Lincoln County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($27,578 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($29,772)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($32,321)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($41,063)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($51,949)
#41. Pike County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23% ($24,464 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($28,692)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.5% ($31,281)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($41,563)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($59,611)
#40. Metcalfe County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.4% ($25,371 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($30,494)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.1% ($32,560)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($35,063)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($64,022)
#39. Grant County
- 12.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.4% ($24,306 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.4% ($38,234)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($39,975)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($39,745)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($53,713)
#38. Fleming County
- 12.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.4% ($21,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($24,889)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($31,761)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($39,877)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($60,625)
#37. Casey County
- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.9% ($18,649 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.6% ($26,289)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.7% ($27,220)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($31,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($57,240)
#36. Muhlenberg County
- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.8% ($23,778 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($25,670)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($28,569)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($41,667)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($48,859)
#35. Marion County
- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($15,953 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.3% ($32,871)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($32,694)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.8% ($36,425)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($54,214)
#34. Carter County
- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.9% ($12,926 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($24,755)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($31,068)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($44,375)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($42,182)
#33. Morgan County
- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.7% ($31,406 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($27,149)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.3% ($30,953)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($36,307)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($51,390)
#32. Larue County
- 12.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16% ($26,279 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.2% ($28,396)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($35,489)
- Bachelor's degree: 5% ($39,663)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.3% ($48,547)
#31. Wayne County
- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.4% ($19,018 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($26,335)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($23,256)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($42,399)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($52,908)
#30. Letcher County
- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.3% ($21,786 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37% ($32,083)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($30,211)
- Bachelor's degree: 6% ($40,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($58,519)
#29. Breckinridge County
- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16% ($16,270 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.9% ($31,359)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.2% ($36,426)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($38,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($58,964)
#28. Livingston County
- 11.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($17,229 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.6% ($31,591)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($26,106)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($38,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($68,203)
#27. Martin County
- 11.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.7% ($21,781 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39% ($24,026)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($33,194)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($32,875)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($40,991)
#26. Gallatin County
- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($17,100 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.2% ($34,777)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($32,488)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($50,625)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.4% ($52,250)
#25. Hancock County
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($33,056 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($40,677)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($40,511)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($65,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($58,750)
#24. Rockcastle County
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.5% ($18,958 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($31,799)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($28,320)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.6% ($41,536)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($47,523)
#23. Hart County
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($27,880 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($30,844)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.5% ($30,637)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($42,143)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($55,380)
#22. Floyd County
- 11.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.8% ($17,337 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.8% ($27,531)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($32,705)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($42,699)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($46,447)
#21. Menifee County
- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.6% ($28,542 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($31,703)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.5% ($31,105)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($32,131)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.8% ($52,969)
#20. Union County
- 11.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10%
- High school graduate: 47.8% ($29,907)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($37,870)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($50,995)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($48,917)
#19. Owen County
- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.6% ($19,771 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.4% ($35,477)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22% ($41,442)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($52,269)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($56,935)
#18. Harlan County
- 10.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 27.2% ($14,701 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.6% ($27,329)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($26,032)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.7% ($32,019)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($46,538)
#17. Grayson County
- 10.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.6% ($21,285 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($29,464)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($32,174)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($41,211)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($47,725)
#16. Edmonson County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.9% ($26,400 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.3% ($27,188)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($31,605)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.6% ($50,625)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($53,659)
#15. Clinton County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.8% ($30,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.8% ($23,690)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($26,233)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.8% ($36,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($55,804)
#14. Webster County
- 10% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.5% ($25,765 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47% ($33,750)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($32,821)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($42,237)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($73,421)
#13. Estill County
- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.4% ($15,982 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.8% ($26,198)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.9% ($29,592)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($38,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($56,650)
#12. Lawrence County
- 9.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.9% ($27,604 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($26,250)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.8% ($30,363)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.6% ($43,464)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($45,670)
#11. Clay County
- 9.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 35.3% ($18,312 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.3% ($23,489)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.5% ($25,276)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.3% ($42,935)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($55,489)
#10. Elliott County
- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25% ($28,438 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($21,917)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.9% ($33,237)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.1% ($62,841)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.7% ($44,875)
#9. Magoffin County
- 9.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 30.2% ($22,708 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($24,128)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.8% ($31,250)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7% ($38,844)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($36,154)
#8. Bell County
- 9.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 30.4% ($17,520 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($19,696)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22% ($23,703)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.2% ($34,423)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($53,423)
#7. Lewis County
- 9.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.1% ($22,292 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($26,941)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($29,398)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.1% ($37,083)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($56,523)
#6. Nicholas County
- 8.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.2% ($25,591 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($30,379)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($32,248)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7% ($44,022)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($65,000)
#5. Wolfe County
- 8.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 28.2%
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($24,167)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($21,200)
- Bachelor's degree: 2.7% ($13,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($85,112)
#4. Leslie County
- 8.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 28.7% ($21,788 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.9% ($28,374)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.8% ($27,449)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.4% ($40,521)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($50,694)
#3. Lee County
- 8.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 31.9% ($25,182 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.3% ($27,991)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($27,188)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.3% ($45,625)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($50,439)
#2. Carroll County
- 8.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.7% ($16,957 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($33,448)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($36,667)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.4% ($53,403)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.8% ($62,768)
#1. McCreary County
- 7.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.4% ($10,922 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($27,488)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.4% ($21,158)
- Bachelor's degree: 4.7% ($47,917)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
