Find a Job You Really Want In
When considering a new location or company, the intellectual caliber of the surrounding community can significantly impact one’s professional experience. This aspect is crucial for both companies and prospective employees. Therefore, identifying cities with a highly educated population is vital as it can influence both career opportunities and personal growth.
To assist in this search, Zippia has compiled a list of Idaho’s cities that stand out in terms of educational attainment and demographic intelligence.
You might wonder how we gauge the intelligence of different towns. We consulted the latest demographic data from the Census Bureau to determine how to measure a city’s intellectual profile.
We analyzed the percentage of adults over 25 who hold at least a high school diploma, alongside the dropout rates for teenagers aged 16-20, across the 32 largest cities in Idaho with available data. After crunching the numbers, we arrived at a list of the brightest cities in the Gem State:
- Rexburg
- Moscow
- Eagle
- Kuna
- Boise City
- Hayden
- Pocatello
- Meridian
- Rathdrum
- Star
Continue reading to learn why these cities excel in education or skip to the end for a comprehensive chart detailing our findings.
For more reading about Idaho, check out:
How We Identified the Smartest Places in Idaho
To determine which cities to analyze, we focused on locations with a population exceeding 5,000 where comprehensive data was available. This process narrowed our list to 32 cities in Idaho.
We assessed the following criteria based on the latest American Community Survey data from the Census:
These metrics reflect the educational landscape and the potential for future improvements in the region’s educational levels. It’s worth noting that around 80% of students graduate from high school today, indicating a solid foundation for future growth.
We ranked each city according to these criteria from one to 32, with one representing the “smartest” in each category. The average rank across all criteria determined the overall score, with the highest scoring city earning the title of “Smartest City in Idaho.”
If your city isn’t listed among the top 10, scroll to the bottom for a detailed chart. Otherwise, let’s explore how the top ten cities achieved their esteemed positions.
1. Rexburg
Population: 26,301
Adults Without High School Diploma: 1.9%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.2%
With a population of 26,301, Rexburg boasts an impressively low high school dropout rate and only 1.9% of adults without a diploma, securing its position as the smartest city in Idaho.
2. Moscow
Population: 24,406
Adults Without High School Diploma: 2.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
Claiming the number two spot, Moscow features nearly no high school dropouts and only 2.3% of adults lacking a diploma.
3. Eagle
Population: 21,102
Adults Without High School Diploma: 3.6%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 1.7%
The residents of Eagle take pride in their educational achievements, landing them in the third spot with a low dropout rate and over 21,000 residents.
4. Kuna
Population: 16,188
Adults Without High School Diploma: 7.8%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
Despite its small size, Kuna’s education statistics are impressive, with almost no high school dropouts and only 7.8% of adults without a diploma.
5. Boise City
Population: 211,655
Adults Without High School Diploma: 6.2%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.8%
As Idaho’s capital, Boise City defies the stereotype that larger cities struggle with education, with a dropout rate of 2.8% and only 6.2% of adults lacking a high school diploma.
6. Hayden
Population: 13,588
Adults Without High School Diploma: 8.0%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
Ranked sixth, Hayden shows a commitment to education with a population of 13,588 and a minimal dropout rate.
7. Pocatello
Population: 54,466
Adults Without High School Diploma: 7.5%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.5%
Pocatello secures the seventh position with 7.5% of adults lacking a diploma and a low dropout rate, contributing to its educational reputation.
8. Meridian
Population: 81,025
Adults Without High School Diploma: 5.1%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 4.1%
The residents of Meridian are committed to their studies, with only 4.1% dropout rates and 5.1% of adults without diplomas.
9. Rathdrum
Population: 7,046
Adults Without High School Diploma: 9.4%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.7%
With a population of 7,046, Rathdrum features a commendable educational profile, with a dropout rate under 3%.
10. Star
Population: 6,379
Adults Without High School Diploma: 6.7%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 5.0%
Rounding out our list is Star, where residents are achieving educational success with a dropout rate of 5%.
Conclusion: Discovering Idaho’s Smartest Cities
This ranking serves as a comprehensive guide to the 10 smartest cities in Idaho for 2026. At Zippia, we strive to provide valuable information that empowers our readers. Whether you plan to visit or relocate, these cities offer insights into the educational landscape of the Gem State. Stay informed and explore these vibrant communities to experience their intellectual excellence firsthand. For more career advice, visit zippia.com to find answers to all your questions.
Detailed List of Smartest Cities in Idaho
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Rexburg | 1 |
| Moscow | 2 |
| Eagle | 3 |
| Kuna | 4 |
| Boise City | 5 |
| Hayden | 6 |
| Pocatello | 7 |
| Meridian | 8 |
| Rathdrum | 9 |
| Star | 10 |
| Preston | 11 |
| Chubbuck | 12 |
| Ammon | 13 |
| Post Falls | 14 |
| Middleton | 15 |
| Lewiston | 16 |
| Idaho Falls | 17 |
| Sandpoint | 18 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 19 |
| Twin Falls | 20 |
| Emmett | 21 |
| Garden City | 22 |
| Burley | 23 |
| Nampa | 24 |
| Blackfoot | 25 |
| Mountain Home | 26 |
| Weiser | 27 |
| Caldwell | 28 |
| Hailey | 29 |
| Rupert | 30 |
| Payette | 31 |
| Jerome | 32 |
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