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These Are The 10 Smartest Cities In Florida

By John McLean
Feb. 2, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 9, 2026

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Discover the 10 Smartest Cities in Florida for 2026

In today’s competitive job market, the intelligence of a city’s population can significantly impact the overall experience for both employees and employers. A community’s education level often correlates with innovation, economic growth, and quality of life. Therefore, choosing a city with a highly educated populace is a smart move for career-minded individuals.

To help you identify the brightest spots in Florida, we’ve turned to Zippia, which provides data-driven insights into the intelligence of cities across the state. In this article, we’ll reveal the cities that excel in educational attainment and low dropout rates.

So, how do we measure the intelligence of a city? We utilized the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, focusing on two key metrics: the percentage of adults (ages 25 and older) with at least a high school diploma and the percentage of teenagers (ages 16-20) who dropped out of high school. By analyzing these statistics from the 215 largest cities in Florida, we compiled a list of the top ten smartest cities in the Sunshine State.

  1. Sanibel
  2. Neptune Beach
  3. Gulf Breeze
  4. Key Biscayne
  5. Palm Beach
  6. Longboat Key
  7. Islamorada
  8. Cocoa Beach
  9. Parkland
  10. Maitland

Continue reading to explore the reasons these cities stand out academically, or scroll down for a comprehensive chart of all the cities analyzed.

How We Determined the Smartest Places in the Sunshine State

To identify the smartest cities in Florida, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 5,000 and sufficient data for our criteria. This analysis included 215 cities across the state.

We evaluated the following criteria based on data from the most recent American Community Survey from the Census Bureau:

  • Percentage of adults (25 and older) with a high school diploma or higher.
  • Percentage of teenagers (16-20) who have dropped out of high school.

Our aim was to highlight cities that not only have a strong educational foundation but also foster an environment for future generations to thrive. Currently, about 80% of students nationwide complete high school, reflecting the importance of education in shaping successful communities.

We ranked each city from one to 215 based on these criteria, with the highest scoring city earning the title of “Smartest City in Florida.”

If your city does not appear in the top ten, you can find a detailed breakdown at the end of this post. Otherwise, let’s delve into the achievements of these leading cities.

1. Sanibel

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

Sanibel tops our list as the smartest city in Florida, boasting an impressive educational profile with nearly no high school dropouts and only 1.2% of adults lacking a high school diploma.

2. Neptune Beach

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

Neptune Beach takes the second spot with an extraordinarily low dropout rate, proving that even small towns can achieve big educational successes.

3. Gulf Breeze

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

Gulf Breeze earns the bronze medal with a strong educational foundation, evident in its low dropout rates and high percentage of diploma holders among adults.

4. Key Biscayne

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

Key Biscayne ranks fourth, demonstrating a commitment to education with remarkable achievement rates among its residents.

5. Palm Beach

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

Palm Beach secures the fifth spot with a strong educational base, as evidenced by its low dropout rate and a majority of adults holding diplomas.

6. Longboat Key

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

Longboat Key ranks sixth in our list, showcasing impressive educational statistics that contribute to its community’s overall success.

7. Islamorada

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

Islamorada’s residents are among the brightest in Florida, boasting minimal dropout rates and a high percentage of diploma holders.

8. Cocoa Beach

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

Cocoa Beach enjoys a strong educational reputation with an emphasis on academic achievement among its students.

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, challenges the stereotype that larger cities struggle with educational outcomes, showcasing impressive statistics.

10. Maitland

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

Maitland rounds out our top ten with strong educational metrics, demonstrating a commitment to fostering academic success among its youth.

And That’s How You Graduate in Style

In summary, these ten cities represent the pinnacle of educational achievement in Florida, backed by solid data. Whether you’re considering a move or simply interested in the educational landscape, these cities offer a wealth of opportunities. For more information on cities across the U.S., visit www.zippia.com to find the answers you need.

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%
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John McLean

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