Is That a Diploma in Your Pocket or are You Just Happy to See Yourself?

Austin has made an appearance on yet another top-ten list. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2004 Austin ranked #5 in a list of large cities with the highest percentage of people who have at least a bachelor's degree . The ever-so-hip Seattle comes in at the top of the heap, followed by San Francisco; Raleigh, N.C.; and Washington, D.C. An astonishing 51% of adults over the age of 25 in Seattle had at least a bachelor's degree.

While we couldn't find the exact numbers for Austin, we know it is obviously well-above the national average of 25% (a number we found to be surprisingly high and one that proves the continued marginalization of a college education these days). In 1970 just about 10% of adults age 25+ had a bachelor's degree.

The study indicates that college-educated folks are flocking to big cities for jobs (good luck) and a vibrant social life (we'll give ya that), while driving up home prices (we'll definitely concede to that point). And all this time we thought people were coming to Austin to eat breakfast tacos, wear yellow rubber band bracelets and "keep it Weird." Cities not making the list - Santa Ana, Calif.; Newark, Detroit and Cleveland rounded out the bottom of the list of over 20 cities. Great, more obligatory Cleveland and Detroit jokes. Sorry, guys.

*Image (c) Matt Wright.*