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Educational Attainment

Description: 

A central theme of the economic literature on regional economic growth is the importance of high-quality human capital in the workforce. Educational attainment of the working-age population is a measure of the quality of the labor force available to innovative companies. The younger population is of particular importance.

The difference in educational attainment between Arizona and the nation in 2000 is expressed in this indicator. Attainment is defined in this case as the share of the population having earned an associate’s degree or more education. The data are presented for selected age groups, with an emphasis on those of working age.

Data Source: 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, 2000 Census:
http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

Data Quality Comments: 

Coming from the long-form questionnaire of the decennial census, the data are subject to sampling error.

iconPercentage Point Difference Between Arizona and the U.S. in the Age Groups Having Earned an Associate’s Degree or More

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iconPercent of Population with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

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Visualization Notes:

The educational attainment gap between the 25+ population and the 65+ population is beginning to close. Since 2000, the number of Arizonans 65+ with a bachelor's degree or higher has increased at the same time as the number of Arizonans 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher as leveled off. Compared to the national percentage of people 65+ with a bachelor's degree, Arizona seniors are faring better educationally. There may be a correlation between this finding and the lower rate of poverty among Arizona seniors compared to the national average. Educational attainment numbers for person 65+ are expected to increase starting in 2010 as the baby boomers reach the age of 65.

iconPercent Bachelor’s Degree or Higher for Population 25+ in Arizona Cities

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Visualization Notes:

The share of the 25 and older population with a bachelor's degree varied substantially within the state from a high of 28% in Tucson MSA (Pima County) to a low of 12% in Lake Havasu City MSA.