WASHINGTON — The D.C. area is known for many things — its politics, its “mayor for life,” its football team with the controversial name. Now, it’s home to the nation’s smartest suburb, according to Business Insider.
Last fall, the publication analyzed the nation’s most educated towns and found Chevy Chase, Maryland — at almost 93 percent — had the highest number of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree. McLean, Virginia came in 19th overall, with 81 percent of its residents with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Using estimates for places with at least 1,000 residents, Business Insider made a map that showed — for each state — towns with the highest percentage of adults over 25 who have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Conversely, Fargo, North Dakota came in last in the rankings; just 39 percent of its adults over 25 have a bachelor’s degree. At roughly 44 percent, Wayne, Nebraska ranked second to last in the U.S.
Many of the educated towns are suburbs of big cities, have very high median incomes and educational attainment, statistics show.
Some are college towns: University Heights, Iowa, and Wellesley, Massachusetts. In four states — California, Mississippi, New York, and Pennsylvania — the highest-ranking place was a college campus.
Here is a list of the top 10:
- Chevy Chase, MD (93 percent)
- Ladera, CA (89 percent)
- Winnetka, IL (88 percent)
- Mission Hills, KS (88 percent)
- Short Hills, NJ (87 percent)
- Belle Meade, TN (86 percent)
- Lost Creek, TX (86 percent)
- Scarsdale, NY (85 percent)
- Castleton, VT (84 percent)
- Shorewood Hills, WI (84 percent)
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