Find a Job You Really Want In
When considering a new location or workplace, the intelligence of the surrounding community is a key factor for many individuals. This aspect can significantly influence the overall experience within a company and affect an employee’s satisfaction and productivity.
Thus, locating a city with a highly educated population is beneficial for both businesses and job seekers. This is where Zippia steps in to highlight the cities in New Mexico that exemplify educational achievement and intellectual engagement.
How do we determine the intelligence of a city?
We utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically focusing on the percentage of adults (ages 25 and older) who hold at least a high school diploma and the percentage of high school dropouts (ages 16-20) in the 34 largest cities in New Mexico. After analyzing the data, we compiled a list of the most academically inclined cities in the Land of Enchantment:
- Los Ranchos De Albuquerque
- Rio Rancho
- Ruidoso
- Alamogordo
- Albuquerque
- Las Cruces
- Corrales
- Grants
- Los Lunas
- Farmington
Continue reading to discover what makes these cities stand out academically, or scroll to the end for a comprehensive chart of our findings.
For additional insights about New Mexico, check out:
How We Identified the Smartest Places in the Land of Enchantment
Before diving into our rankings, we established criteria for the cities included in our analysis. We focused on locations with populations exceeding 5,000 and available data for our key metrics.
This approach led us to assess 34 cities across New Mexico.
We evaluated the following criteria to identify the top performers:
Our data is sourced from the most recent American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. We believe these criteria accurately reflect the educational landscape and potential for improvement among future generations. Notably, approximately 80% of students graduate from high school nationwide today.
To determine the smartest cities, we ranked each city across all criteria from one to 34, with one representing the highest performance in each category.
We then calculated the average rank for all criteria, with the city achieving the highest overall score being recognized as the “Smartest City in New Mexico.”
If your city isn’t in the top 10, scroll to the bottom of the post for a detailed chart of all analyzed locations. Otherwise, read on to discover how the leading cities earned their distinction.
1. Los Ranchos De Albuquerque
Population: 6,074
Adults Without High School Diploma: 4.8%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
Graduating with pride, the residents of Los Ranchos De Albuquerque boast an impressive educational record. With a population of 6,074, this town has a remarkably low high school dropout rate and only 4.8% of adults lacking a high school diploma, securing its top position.
2. Rio Rancho
Population: 90,627
Adults Without High School Diploma: 6.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 4.2%
Ranking second is Rio Rancho, a city with a dropout rate around 4% and only 6.3% of adults without a high school diploma, demonstrating strong educational foundations.
3. Ruidoso
Population: 7,954
Adults Without High School Diploma: 11.6%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
With a small population of 7,954, Ruidoso holds the third spot, showcasing an exceptional record of keeping students engaged in their education.
4. Alamogordo
Population: 31,224
Adults Without High School Diploma: 11.5%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 3.5%
Alamogordo, New Mexico claims the fourth position on our list, with a population of 31,224 and commendable educational statistics.
5. Albuquerque
Population: 553,576
Adults Without High School Diploma: 11.1%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 6.1%
As the largest city on our list, Albuquerque, with a population exceeding 553,000, demonstrates that major cities can also excel in education, with dropout rates and adult education levels reflecting that commitment.
6. Las Cruces
Population: 100,360
Adults Without High School Diploma: 14.6%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 4.6%
Las Cruces, known as the City of the Crosses, ranks sixth with a substantial population and a low high school dropout rate of just 4.6%.
7. Corrales
Population: 8,426
Adults Without High School Diploma: 5.0%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 9.6%
With 8,426 residents, Corrales secures the seventh position, boasting a low percentage of adults without diplomas and a strong commitment to education.
8. Grants
Population: 9,245
Adults Without High School Diploma: 22.0%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.0%
Grants, New Mexico may have a higher percentage of adults lacking diplomas, but its dropout rate is nearly nonexistent, highlighting its educational potential.
9. Los Lunas
Population: 15,203
Adults Without High School Diploma: 14.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 6.8%
Los Lunas, with a population of 15,203, shows promise with a 6.8% dropout rate, indicating a strong educational environment.
10. Farmington
Population: 45,383
Adults Without High School Diploma: 13.5%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 7.6%
Completing our list at the tenth position, Farmington, New Mexico shows a promising educational landscape with a robust population and a commitment to reducing dropout rates.
Conclusion: Experience the Smartest Cities in New Mexico
This ranking represents the top 10 Smartest Cities in New Mexico. At Zippia, we strive to provide our readers with valuable insights. With this information, you can make informed decisions about your next visit to the Land of Enchantment. Be sure to explore these cities to witness their intellectual vibrancy firsthand. For career advice and to have your questions answered, visit zippia.com.
Detailed List of Smartest Cities in New Mexico
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 1 |
| Rio Rancho | 2 |
| Ruidoso | 3 |
| Alamogordo | 4 |
| Albuquerque | 5 |
| Las Cruces | 6 |
| Corrales | 7 |
| Grants | 8 |
| Los Lunas | 9 |
| Farmington | 10 |
| Carlsbad | 11 |
| Bernalillo | 12 |
| Bloomfield | 13 |
| Santa Fe | 14 |
| Roswell | 15 |
| Clovis | 16 |
| Las Vegas | 17 |
| Aztec | 18 |
| Tucumcari | 19 |
| Portales | 20 |
| Taos | 21 |
| Sunland Park | 22 |
| Artesia | 23 |
| Gallup | 24 |
| Silver City | 25 |
| Truth or Consequences | 26 |
| Raton | 27 |
| Socorro | 28 |
| Belen | 29 |
| Española | 30 |
| Hobbs | 31 |
| Deming | 32 |
| Anthony | 33 |
| Lovington | 34 |
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