Educational Attainment (High School or GED Equivilancy)

For the two age groups shown, ages 18-24 and ages 25 and Older, the percentage of those with less than a high school diploma or high school equivalency in Pierce County has gone down since the 2000 Census with the greatest progress being made in Females ages 18-24 years old.

According to the 2006-2008 (3-year Estimate) American Community Survey:

Compared to Washington State as a whole, Pierce County has a higher percentage of adults age 18-24 with less than a high school diploma or equivalency (17.6% versus 19.2%).

This means that about 1 in 5 adults in this age range do not have a high school equivalency in Pierce County.

Among those 25 years or older, Washington State as a whole has a higher percentage of adults without a high school equivalency than in Pierce County (11.6% compared to 10.5%).

This means that in Pierce County, about 1 in 10 adults in this age range do not have a high school equivalency.

The chart shows adult educational attainment in Pierce County, Counties Like Ours, and Washington States adult educational attainment less than high school equivalency, taken from the 2006-2008 (3-year Estimate) American Community Survey. The estimated change from 2000 to 2008 is shown as the data label.

GIS Data - Family Households Below Poverty Level and Female Educational Attainment
GIS Data - Family Households Below Poverty Level and Male Educational Attainment

Source: US Census Bureau

Pierce County lags behind King County in regards to educational attainment. In Pierce County, more adults over 25 have not achieved high school equivalency, and fewer adults have achieved degrees beyond a two-year associate’s degree. Education and training corresponds to wages and earning potential. Also shown is the educational attainment of Pierce County adults 25 years and older, by gender.

Source: 2006 American Community Survey

Source: 2006-2008 (3-year Estimate) American Community Survey