Least educated counties in Ohio

Written by:
May 14, 2022
Mike Sharp // Wikimedia Commons

Least educated counties in Ohio

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 Ohio 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 a high school diploma.

Keep reading for a look at the least-educated counties in Ohio.

1 / 50
Analogue Kid // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Pickaway County

- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($21,908 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($36,534)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($43,346)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.1% ($56,768)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($68,514)

2 / 50
Eric Lochtefeld // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Mercer County

- 18.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.9% ($22,917 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.3% ($37,168)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($37,092)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($51,368)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($56,920)

3 / 50
John Siegenthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Richland County

- 18.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13% ($23,761 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($29,646)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($32,880)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($45,556)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($60,523)

4 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Defiance County

- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.8% ($30,135 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($34,410)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($38,281)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($45,781)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($70,442)

5 / 50
Darren56brown // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Fulton County

- 17.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($22,393 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.7% ($35,834)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.9% ($37,377)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($48,004)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($63,006)

6 / 50
Derek Jensen // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Madison County

- 17.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13% ($26,444 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($35,411)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($39,238)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($62,813)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($59,531)

7 / 50
w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Tuscarawas County

- 17.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.1% ($31,948 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($31,022)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($32,518)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.2% ($48,494)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($63,482)

8 / 50
Art Anderson // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Henry County

- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 6.5% ($24,261 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($32,437)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.8% ($39,787)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($49,776)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($54,081)

9 / 50
User:OHWiki // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Wyandot County

- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($29,257 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.7% ($32,830)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29% ($38,905)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($52,514)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($57,953)

10 / 50
Ndutro // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Seneca County

- 16.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.3% ($18,804 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.2% ($32,439)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($33,997)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($42,288)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($55,148)

11 / 50
Bwsmith84 // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Belmont County

- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.9% ($15,313 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($25,890)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($34,131)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($42,830)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($54,661)

12 / 50
Derek Jensen (Tysto) // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Van Wert County

- 16.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($23,239 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.3% ($32,880)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($38,045)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($43,790)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($56,902)

13 / 50
Photo shot by Derek Jensen (Tysto) // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Logan County

- 16.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($30,310 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48.4% ($36,499)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($40,074)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($47,367)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($54,177)

14 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Preble County

- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($27,447 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.9% ($33,538)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.3% ($38,876)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($50,521)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($60,225)

15 / 50
Bwsmith84 // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Fayette County

- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($23,634 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.9% ($31,919)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($38,689)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($45,196)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($55,792)

16 / 50
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Hardin County

- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($26,742 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48% ($33,206)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.3% ($36,064)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($42,214)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($61,406)

17 / 50
Jim Roberts // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Champaign County

- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 8.8% ($22,083 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.2% ($35,024)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($38,844)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($52,563)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($59,321)

18 / 50
User:OHWiki // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Sandusky County

- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($20,784 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($32,471)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.9% ($37,460)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($49,134)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($58,333)

19 / 50
Leslie K. Dellovade // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Muskingum County

- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($24,410 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($30,132)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($31,737)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($50,611)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($55,153)

20 / 50
Kurt Tarvis // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Gallia County

- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16% ($18,952 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($30,330)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($33,410)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($41,221)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($62,373)

21 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Jefferson County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($20,203 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($29,496)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($34,689)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($44,572)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($51,696)

22 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Darke County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.1% ($25,294 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.9% ($34,545)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.1% ($34,032)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($47,239)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($63,931)

23 / 50
Mike Sharp // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Ross County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($21,261 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($31,580)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($35,573)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($49,225)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($63,046)

24 / 50
Spongefan // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Scioto County

- 15.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($19,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($30,186)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($35,314)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($48,765)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($60,281)

25 / 50
Myself // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Paulding County

- 15.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($22,574 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.9% ($34,580)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($34,009)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.2% ($46,453)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($58,250)

26 / 50
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Williams County

- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.4% ($14,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($31,693)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.9% ($35,058)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($46,481)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($60,729)

27 / 50
636Buster // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Columbiana County

- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.5% ($22,870 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($30,668)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29% ($31,420)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($44,937)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($56,449)

28 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Brown County

- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($33,839 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.6% ($35,666)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($38,442)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($63,209)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($57,016)

29 / 50
Seicer // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Lawrence County

- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.5% ($27,083 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.9% ($30,122)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($32,066)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($51,644)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($57,964)

30 / 50
Willjay // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Guernsey County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.4% ($24,531 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($29,672)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($32,696)
- Bachelor's degree: 9% ($43,696)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($53,766)

31 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Jackson County

- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.5% ($26,044 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($28,765)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($33,848)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($47,466)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($63,589)

32 / 50
User:OHWiki // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Crawford County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($25,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.8% ($30,790)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($33,020)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($42,679)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($51,677)

33 / 50
dankeck // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Hocking County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.9% ($19,411 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.6% ($32,728)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($32,475)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($43,961)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($64,410)

34 / 50
Kevin Marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Huron County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($23,142 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.2% ($31,963)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($36,179)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($47,815)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($56,845)

35 / 50
OZinOH // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Ashtabula County

- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14% ($24,025 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.6% ($28,591)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.2% ($33,780)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($42,785)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($62,860)

36 / 50
Derek Jensen // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Morrow County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.3% ($24,960 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.9% ($36,095)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($38,293)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($47,410)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($64,063)

37 / 50
Aesopposea // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Highland County

- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($21,438 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.4% ($28,708)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($31,366)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($50,976)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($61,626)

38 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Carroll County

- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.5% ($22,179 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 49.7% ($32,467)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($39,464)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($45,975)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($57,757)

39 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Coshocton County

- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.5% ($27,480 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.3% ($27,419)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25% ($30,684)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($45,891)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($59,659)

40 / 50
Aesopposea // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Adams County

- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($24,672 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($25,984)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.5% ($30,453)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($39,347)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($69,003)

41 / 50
Jimmy Emerson // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Meigs County

- 13.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($25,046 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($28,120)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.7% ($34,790)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($52,549)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($61,250)

42 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Vinton County

- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($21,866 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.7% ($31,262)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($34,640)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($43,856)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($52,788)

43 / 50
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Pike County

- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($22,434 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.2% ($32,133)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($35,297)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($50,219)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($58,137)

44 / 50
Bwsmith84// Wikimedia Commons

#7. Monroe County

- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 10.8% ($18,287 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 51.8% ($26,721)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($32,660)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($52,361)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($47,857)

45 / 50
James St. John // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Marion County

- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.1% ($19,417 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($30,608)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($36,932)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($46,856)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($56,458)

46 / 50
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Perry County

- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.6% ($17,056 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.5% ($31,054)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($37,897)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($44,189)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($60,354)

47 / 50
Bwsmith84 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Harrison County

- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13.2% ($32,946 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.9% ($30,625)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($36,007)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($46,447)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($53,879)

48 / 50
Tim Kiser // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Morgan County

- 10.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($24,271 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.9% ($26,337)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($30,093)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($40,184)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($54,000)

49 / 50
w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Noble County

- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($7,860 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.9% ($22,758)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($31,078)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.7% ($30,924)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($60,893)

50 / 50
Mike Sharp // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Holmes County

- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 43% ($39,379 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.9% ($31,407)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 14.4% ($29,721)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($44,862)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($57,500)

Trending Now