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When considering a new location or company, one key aspect many individuals value is the intelligence of the community. A city with a highly educated and skilled population can significantly enhance both the workplace experience and overall quality of life.
To assist you in identifying North Dakota cities that stand out for their intellectual capital, we turn to Zippia. This analysis highlights the cities that have cultivated an environment ripe for learning and growth.
But how do we measure the intelligence of a city?
We utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau to assess key educational metrics: the percentage of adults aged 25 and older who have at least a high school diploma and the dropout rate among teenagers aged 16-20. We focused on the 12 largest cities in North Dakota for which data is available. After analyzing these statistics, we compiled a list of the brightest cities in the Peace Garden State:
- West Fargo
- Grand Forks
- Fargo
- Bismarck
- Wahpeton
- Jamestown
- Minot
- Williston
- Mandan
- Valley City
Continue reading to discover what makes these cities exceptional or skip to the end for a complete overview of our findings.
For further insights into North Dakota, check out:
How We Identified the Smartest Cities in North Dakota
To determine which cities to evaluate, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 5,000 and available data for our selected criteria.
This led us to analyze 12 cities across North Dakota. We examined the following factors to identify the top contenders:
Our data derives from the most recent American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. We believe these metrics reflect the current educational landscape and the potential for fostering improved educational outcomes for future generations. Notably, around 80% of students nationwide graduate from high school.
We ranked each city based on the criteria, assigning a score from one to twelve, with one representing the highest rank in each category. The overall average rank determined which city earned the title of “Smartest City in North Dakota.”
If your city didn’t make the top 10, scroll to the end for a detailed chart of all cities analyzed. Otherwise, let’s delve into what makes these top ten cities shine.
1. West Fargo
Population: 28,371
Adults Without High School Diploma: 5.4%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.2%
West Fargo proudly secures the top spot as the smartest city in North Dakota, boasting an impressively low dropout rate of nearly 2% and only 5.4% of its adult population lacking a high school diploma.
2. Grand Forks
Population: 54,095
Adults Without High School Diploma: 7.2%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 0.8%
Grand Forks takes the second position, showcasing a strong educational foundation with just 0.8% of its teenagers dropping out, indicating a commitment to academic success.
3. Fargo
Population: 110,725
Adults Without High School Diploma: 5.3%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.7%
Fargo, the largest city on our list, ranks third with a population of 110,725 and only 5.3% of adults without a high school diploma, reflecting a strong community investment in education.
4. Bismarck
Population: 65,123
Adults Without High School Diploma: 6.8%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.6%
With approximately 65,123 residents, Bismarck earns the fourth position, demonstrating a solid educational achievement among its population.
5. Wahpeton
Population: 7,804
Adults Without High School Diploma: 8.1%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 2.2%
Wahpeton ranks fifth, with a commendable dropout rate and a significant number of residents achieving high school diplomas.
6. Jamestown
Population: 15,407
Adults Without High School Diploma: 13.6%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 1.1%
Jamestown, at #6, showcases a remarkable 1.1% teenage dropout rate, although it has a higher percentage of adults without diplomas, indicating room for improvement.
7. Minot
Population: 44,533
Adults Without High School Diploma: 6.7%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 7.7%
Minot ranks seventh, with a notable percentage of teenagers completing high school, contributing to its overall ranking.
8. Williston
Population: 19,849
Adults Without High School Diploma: 9.9%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 4.1%
Williston shines with a strong community focus on education, reflected in its low dropout and adult diploma rates.
9. Mandan
Population: 19,381
Adults Without High School Diploma: 8.4%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 5.9%
Mandan comes in ninth, with a commitment to educational achievement evident in its low dropout rate and population statistics.
10. Valley City
Population: 6,636
Adults Without High School Diploma: 12.9%
Teenage High School Dropouts: 3.1%
Rounding out our list at #10, Valley City demonstrates a dedication to education, with a relatively low dropout rate among teens.
That’s How You Graduate in Style
In summary, these ten cities represent the smartest communities in North Dakota, backed by compelling educational statistics. Consider visiting these vibrant cities to experience their rich intellectual culture. For more information on cities and states across the U.S., be sure to explore www.zippia.com for answers to all your questions.
Detailed List of Smartest Cities in North Dakota
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| West Fargo | 1 |
| Grand Forks | 2 |
| Fargo | 3 |
| Bismarck | 4 |
| Wahpeton | 5 |
| Jamestown | 6 |
| Minot | 7 |
| Williston | 8 |
| Mandan | 9 |
| Valley City | 10 |
| Devils Lake | 11 |
| Dickinson | 12 |
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