These Are The 10 Smartest Cities In Florida

One of the many qualities that people look for in a potential location or company is the intelligence of those around them. This factor can play a huge role in oneâs experience at a particular company and can make or break an employeeâs time there.

So finding a city with an intelligent population makes sense for both companies and employees. Thatâs where Zippia comes in; to help you identify those places in Florida that might have skipped a gradeâ¦or two.

You may be wondering how does one determine how intelligent a town really is?

Well we went to the source of all things demographic data â the Census â to figure out what criteria about a place would identify it is a smart cookie.

We set upon the percentage of adults (over 25) with at least a high school degree and the percentage of high school dropouts (aged 16-20) for the 215 largest cities in Florida with data. We then crunched the numbers and were left with this set of the brightest cities in the Sunshine State:

Read on to see why these places got into a four-year college or skip to the end to see a full chart of all the places in our analysis.

For more FL reading, check out:

How we determined the smartest places in the Sunshine State

Before we could dive into the potential IQs of various places in Florida, we needed to know which places to look at in the first place. We settled upon any place with over 5,000 people and data available for every criteria.

This left us with 215 places in Florida.

We then looked at the following criteria to determine the cream from the crop when it comes to smarts:

Our data comes directly from the latest American Community Survey from the Census.

We thought this criteria was representative of the current state of smarts with the potential for a place to improve the education levels of the next generation. And itâs not like we are setting the education bar incredibly high â 80% of students graduate from high school nowadays.

In order to determine the smartest, we ranked all the cities for each criteria from one to 215 with one being the âsmartestâ in any category.

We took the average rank across all criteria, with the place posting the highest overall score being given the diploma for âSmartest City In Floridaâ.

If your city or town isnât among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart. Otherwise, learn more about how the top ten cities achieved their potential.

1. Sanibel

Population: 6,761
Adults Without High School Diploma: 1.2%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

Sanibel graduated early and at the top of the class. Itâs taken the diploma as the smartest city in the state of Florida with almost no high school dropouts and only 1.2% of the population lacking a high school diploma.

2. Neptune Beach

Population: 6,733
Adults Without High School Diploma: 1.9%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

Taking the bittersweet #2 spot is the tiny town of Neptune Beach. With an ultra low high school dropout rate this tiny town is doing big things!

3. Gulf Breeze

Population: 5,984
Adults Without High School Diploma: 2.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

Our bronze finisher is the town of Gulf Breeze, Florida. WIth a population of 5,984 residents and almost no kids dropping out of high school itâs no wonder this town made our list.

The IQs here are off the charts.

4. Key Biscayne

Population: 12,774
Adults Without High School Diploma: 2.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

The residents of Key Biscayne obviously have the keys to success in their pocket as they take the #4 spot on our list. At a population of over 12,000 and so few high school dropouts this town is on the path to success in the classroom.

5. Palm Beach

Population: 8,344
Adults Without High School Diploma: 2.7%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

It seems the kids in Palm Beach arenât spending too much time at the beach as they take the #5 spot. With only 2.7% of the population lacking a high school diploma and almost no high school dropouts they spend plenty of time in study hall every week.

6. Longboat Key

Population: 7,003
Adults Without High School Diploma: 3.2%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

The town of Longboat Key is coming in at #6 with some pretty great numbers. An ultra low high school dropout rate and just over 3% lacking a high school diploma earns them a high rank on our list.

7. Islamorada

Population: 6,318
Adults Without High School Diploma: 3.4%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

The small town residents of Islamorada really are some of the brightest bulbs in the box with so few high school dropouts and adults lacking a diploma.

Stop by and soak up some smarts in this town.

8. Cocoa Beach

Population: 11,287
Adults Without High School Diploma: 3.4%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%

Cocoa Beach is living the sweet life at #8. With over 11,000 residents this city is studying hard and focusing in class as almost no high school students drop out here.

9. Parkland

Population: 25,895
Adults Without High School Diploma: 2.8%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 1.2%

The largest city on our list, Parkland is doing big things. Putting the idea that big cities have poor educational systems this city of 25,895 is killing it with 1.2% of high schoolers dropping out and 2.8% of the population not finishing high school.

10. Maitland

Population: 16,273
Adults Without High School Diploma: 3.1%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 1.0%

Rounding out our list and coming in at #10 is the city of Maitland, Florida. With only 1% of the high school population not making it to graduation and 3.1% of the adult population lacking a high school diploma they have earned their spot on the list.

And thatâs how you graduate in style

There you have it folks, the Ten Smartest cities in the state Florida. They have the numbers to back it up so go ahead and visit them to soak up some of the smarts around town. If youâd like more information on different cities and states around the U.S. be sure to visit www.zippia.com to have all of your questions answered.

Detailed List Of Smartest Cities In Florida

City	Rank	Population	Adults Without High School Diploma	Teenage High School Dropouts
Sanibel	1	6,761	1.2%	0.0%
Neptune Beach	2	6,733	1.9%	0.0%
Gulf Breeze	3	5,984	2.3%	0.0%
Key Biscayne	4	12,774	2.3%	0.0%
Palm Beach	5	8,344	2.7%	0.0%
Longboat Key	6	7,003	3.2%	0.0%
Islamorada	7	6,318	3.4%	0.0%
Cocoa Beach	8	11,287	3.4%	0.0%
Parkland	9	25,895	2.8%	1.2%
Maitland	10	16,273	3.1%	1.0%
Lighthouse Point	11	10,693	4.2%	0.0%
North Palm Beach	12	12,272	4.4%	0.0%
Destin	13	12,840	4.5%	0.0%
Weston	14	67,567	3.0%	1.5%
Fort Myers Beach	15	6,539	4.7%	0.0%
Valparaiso	16	5,109	4.8%	0.0%
Surfside	17	5,927	4.8%	0.0%
Venice	18	21,121	4.8%	0.4%
Doral	19	49,363	4.9%	0.0%
Pinecrest	20	18,914	5.0%	0.4%
Oviedo	21	35,602	5.2%	0.0%
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea	22	6,241	5.4%	0.0%
Wellington	23	59,022	5.3%	0.2%
Coral Gables	24	49,319	4.8%	1.2%
Naples	25	20,214	5.6%	0.0%
Cooper City	26	32,058	5.2%	0.6%
Boca Raton	27	88,187	4.2%	1.8%
Winter Springs	28	33,673	5.6%	0.0%
Palmetto Bay	29	24,214	5.9%	0.0%
Palm Beach Gardens	30	50,147	5.1%	1.4%
Alachua	31	9,291	6.0%	0.0%
Niceville	32	13,562	6.4%	0.0%
Winter Park	33	28,771	5.2%	1.5%
High Springs	34	5,499	7.0%	0.0%
Clermont	35	29,582	7.2%	0.8%
Temple Terrace	36	25,098	7.1%	1.1%
Satellite Beach	37	10,262	5.5%	2.9%
Jupiter	38	57,625	7.4%	1.3%
Panama City Beach	39	11,884	7.8%	0.8%
Safety Harbor	40	17,017	7.0%	1.6%
Bay Harbor Islands	41	5,847	9.0%	0.0%
Tallahassee	42	185,395	7.3%	1.6%
Miami Shores	43	10,736	5.8%	2.9%
Casselberry	44	26,520	9.2%	0.1%
Sunny Isles Beach	45	21,583	6.8%	2.5%
Lake Mary	46	14,605	8.9%	1.4%
Plantation	47	88,486	6.4%	3.4%
Lake Alfred	48	5,136	10.4%	0.0%
Indian Harbour Beach	49	8,254	6.0%	3.6%
North Port	50	58,584	10.1%	0.7%
Minneola	51	9,849	10.6%	0.0%
Wilton Manors	52	11,994	10.6%	0.0%
Rockledge	53	25,477	7.5%	2.5%
Orange Park	54	8,472	10.6%	0.0%
Coral Springs	55	125,150	7.8%	2.3%
Belle Isle	56	6,265	4.2%	5.4%
Seminole	57	17,477	8.9%	2.0%
Gainesville	58	126,465	8.8%	2.3%
New Smyrna Beach	59	22,993	8.2%	3.0%
Atlantic Beach	60	12,840	6.5%	4.4%
Tequesta	61	5,756	5.6%	4.8%
Southwest Ranches	62	7,583	11.2%	0.8%
Davie	63	95,721	9.3%	2.2%
St. Augustine Beach	64	6,422	1.5%	8.4%
Pembroke Pines	65	159,920	9.2%	2.9%
Lady Lake	66	14,138	12.6%	0.0%
Cutler Bay	67	42,573	12.6%	0.0%
Edgewater	68	20,879	9.6%	2.6%
Winter Garden	69	36,826	10.6%	1.8%
Treasure Island	70	6,749	4.7%	6.8%
St. Pete Beach	71	9,408	3.3%	8.1%
Pensacola	72	52,505	8.7%	3.7%
St. Augustine	73	13,440	10.8%	2.0%
Wildwood	74	6,782	9.3%	3.6%
Aventura	75	36,979	6.7%	5.3%
Orange City	76	10,968	14.1%	0.0%
Ocoee	77	38,340	14.4%	0.0%
Miramar	78	128,414	10.2%	3.2%
Crestview	79	22,099	9.1%	4.0%
Ormond Beach	80	38,502	6.9%	5.3%
Newberry	81	5,185	4.5%	8.1%
Groveland	82	9,381	14.6%	0.0%
Vero Beach	83	15,577	14.7%	0.0%
Key West	84	25,187	9.3%	4.2%
Sunrise	85	88,391	12.4%	1.8%
Coconut Creek	86	55,590	7.2%	5.5%
Marathon	87	8,529	10.7%	3.4%
DeLand	88	27,872	13.6%	1.7%
Cape Canaveral	89	9,960	6.6%	6.5%
Port St. Lucie	90	169,260	12.2%	2.6%
Melbourne	91	77,216	11.3%	3.1%
Marco Island	92	16,921	5.5%	8.2%
Palm Coast	93	77,779	10.2%	4.4%
Lakeland	94	99,942	12.4%	2.8%
Miami Springs	95	14,255	16.7%	0.0%
Fernandina Beach	96	11,851	6.8%	6.8%
Tamarac	97	62,478	10.0%	4.7%
Margate	98	54,929	14.6%	1.7%
Ocala	99	56,918	14.0%	2.3%
Dunedin	100	35,538	8.6%	6.0%
Tarpon Springs	101	23,789	11.3%	4.0%
Daytona Beach	102	61,913	14.7%	2.0%
Jacksonville Beach	103	21,822	5.2%	10.8%
Altamonte Springs	104	41,889	7.8%	6.8%
Port Orange	105	57,218	10.1%	5.3%
Longwood	106	13,776	10.5%	5.2%
Deltona	107	85,765	12.9%	3.7%
Punta Gorda	108	16,984	4.8%	14.5%
Cape Coral	109	161,804	9.9%	5.6%
Bartow	110	17,766	17.3%	1.0%
Miami Lakes	111	30,396	9.5%	5.9%
West Melbourne	112	19,208	6.0%	10.1%
Largo	113	78,391	12.0%	4.4%
Fort Walton Beach	114	20,320	11.5%	4.5%
St. Petersburg	115	248,429	11.4%	4.5%
DeFuniak Springs	116	5,410	19.8%	0.0%
Pinellas Park	117	49,874	14.7%	2.9%
Lantana	118	10,822	17.0%	1.6%
Oldsmar	119	13,730	8.4%	7.7%
Royal Palm Beach	120	35,482	9.3%	6.7%
Apopka	121	44,462	14.5%	3.5%
West Park	122	14,604	21.5%	0.0%
South Daytona	123	12,265	12.1%	4.6%
Sanford	124	55,296	13.6%	4.1%
Dade City	125	6,548	21.7%	0.0%
Winter Haven	126	35,070	16.7%	2.2%
Sebastian	127	22,485	13.8%	4.1%
Jacksonville	128	837,533	11.9%	5.1%
Cocoa	129	17,261	14.9%	3.4%
St. Cloud	130	39,685	13.0%	4.5%
West Miami	131	6,197	22.7%	0.0%
Titusville	132	44,032	11.1%	5.7%
South Miami	133	12,036	11.2%	5.5%
Pembroke Park	134	6,220	24.1%	0.0%
North Lauderdale	135	42,354	22.3%	0.4%
Hollywood	136	145,128	13.2%	4.5%
Bradenton	137	50,777	15.3%	3.5%
Fort Lauderdale	138	171,137	15.0%	3.8%
Orlando	139	250,224	11.1%	6.3%
North Bay Village	140	7,453	10.2%	7.1%
Sarasota	141	52,986	11.7%	5.7%
Mascotte	142	5,197	31.4%	0.0%
Macclenny	143	6,387	16.3%	3.9%
Hallandale Beach	144	38,270	14.6%	4.7%
Milton	145	9,149	10.8%	7.3%
DeBary	146	19,404	8.8%	11.1%
Lynn Haven	147	19,049	10.1%	9.0%
Brooksville	148	7,725	19.0%	3.1%
Live Oak	149	6,927	35.7%	0.0%
Eustis	150	18,920	12.2%	6.6%
Tampa	151	348,934	13.8%	5.6%
North Miami Beach	152	43,028	18.8%	3.7%
Hialeah Gardens	153	22,660	24.8%	2.0%
Delray Beach	154	62,828	15.3%	5.1%
Clearwater	155	109,210	11.4%	8.1%
Plant City	156	35,866	19.1%	3.8%
Boynton Beach	157	70,355	13.1%	6.8%
Palmetto	158	12,856	15.6%	5.2%
Gulfport	159	12,102	9.7%	13.4%
Palm Bay	160	104,342	12.7%	7.5%
West Palm Beach	161	102,283	15.3%	5.4%
Zephyrhills	162	14,041	16.8%	5.2%
Bonita Springs	163	46,384	16.3%	5.5%
Greenacres	164	38,444	18.5%	5.2%
Tavares	165	14,343	11.1%	12.5%
Lake Park	166	8,317	21.7%	4.0%
Stuart	167	15,850	10.6%	13.6%
Holly Hill	168	11,680	20.3%	4.5%
Panama City	169	36,405	13.9%	8.3%
Lake Wales	170	14,665	21.1%	4.6%
Miami Gardens	171	110,867	19.4%	5.3%
Fort Meade	172	5,745	21.9%	4.6%
Oakland Park	173	42,795	16.7%	6.9%
Inverness	174	7,205	17.1%	6.7%
Lauderhill	175	69,082	16.6%	7.2%
Callaway	176	14,617	11.2%	21.2%
Kissimmee	177	63,392	19.2%	6.1%
Deerfield Beach	178	77,341	15.1%	9.0%
Dania Beach	179	30,531	15.1%	9.0%
Riviera Beach	180	33,123	19.4%	6.4%
Miami Beach	181	90,669	14.6%	11.5%
Lake City	182	12,059	16.4%	9.4%
Fort Myers	183	66,167	19.8%	7.9%
Mount Dora	184	12,663	14.1%	22.9%
Auburndale	185	13,979	19.0%	8.4%
Hialeah	186	232,311	29.1%	6.1%
Pompano Beach	187	103,234	17.2%	10.9%
Perry	188	7,040	18.7%	10.2%
Leesburg	189	20,915	15.9%	18.6%
Starke	190	5,404	20.5%	8.9%
North Miami	191	60,756	24.9%	7.3%
Palm Springs	192	21,302	24.5%	7.8%
New Port Richey	193	15,063	16.8%	19.2%
Green Cove Springs	194	6,984	17.6%	15.2%
Miami	195	416,432	28.0%	8.1%
Lauderdale Lakes	196	33,710	22.4%	9.3%
Marianna	197	8,548	20.8%	11.1%
Quincy	198	8,022	25.7%	9.5%
Haines City	199	21,207	28.1%	10.1%
Sebring	200	10,356	24.1%	12.8%
Pahokee	201	5,941	41.5%	8.1%
Fort Pierce	202	42,744	24.9%	11.7%
Palatka	203	10,464	22.4%	18.7%
Clewiston	204	7,184	34.3%	10.4%
Okeechobee	205	5,581	40.2%	10.6%
Springfield	206	9,095	24.3%	22.6%
Sweetwater	207	20,562	36.4%	12.9%
Opa-locka	208	15,867	31.5%	15.3%
Avon Park	209	8,874	27.0%	23.1%
Fellsmere	210	5,312	47.0%	13.4%
Belle Glade	211	17,785	37.3%	15.0%
Arcadia	212	7,647	26.1%	36.4%
Lake Worth	213	35,903	32.8%	20.2%
Homestead	214	63,459	30.9%	23.3%
Florida City	215	11,853	47.4%	19.9%