Poverty rates by educational attainment, 2005-09

Educational attainment not only decreases the likelihood of unemployment, it also increases overall economic well-being. Between 2005 and 2009, poverty rates were significantly lower for nonmetro residents with higher levels of educational attainment. Nonmetro poverty rates were consistently higher than poverty rates in metropolitan areas, however, across all education levels. This chart is from the 2011 edition of Rural America At A Glance, EIB-85, September 2011.