The Percent High School Graduates metric from the American Community Survey (ACS) represents the share of the population aged 25 years and older who have completed high school or an equivalent credential (e.g., GED). This measure is available at multiple geographic levels (national, state, county, city, census tract) and is often reported alongside other educational attainment categories (some college, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree).

Why does this matter?

This indicator is essential for assessing the educational foundation and workforce readiness of a city:

1. Baseline Educational Attainment
   • A higher percentage of high school graduates indicates stronger educational outcomes and a population better prepared for higher education or skilled employment.¹
   • Metro areas with a ten percent higher share of adults with at least a high school education experienced faster job growth—specifically, an average annual job growth rate 0.3 percentage points higher from 2000 to 2016. This demonstrates a clear link between higher high school attainment rates and improved local economic well-being.
2. Economic Mobility and Job Market Alignment
   • Educational attainment correlates with income levels, employment opportunities, and poverty reduction, making it a key metric for workforce development planning.2
3. Intergenerational Impact
   • Communities with higher high school completion rates tend to show improved health, civic engagement, and educational outcomes for children, reinforcing long-term benefits.
4. Equity and Targeted Interventions
5. • Disparities in attainment across neighborhoods can reveal structural inequities and inform targeted education initiatives such as adult learning programs and high school equivalency pathways.