Higher Education in the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area

From the year 2000, the Auburn-Opelika metro area has decreased in the total percent of the over 25 population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher. This population group has declined by 0.2 percent to a total of 27.8 percent in 2005, as reported by the American Community Survey. The proportion of the 2005 population having received at least a BA is greater than the State of Alabama percent of 21.4 and greater than the United States percent of 27.2.

Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area can be considered to have a moderately-educated 2005 population, with 27.8 percent of the over 25 years old population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher, according to the 2005 American Community Survey. The Auburn-Opelika MSA was reported to have a higher percent of individuals with higher educations than the State of Alabama's proportion of 21.4 percent and a higher percent than United States proportion of 27.2 percent.

In the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area according the 2005 American Community Survey, 31 percent of the White Alone, 14 percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and . percent of the Hispanic or Latino (+25) population has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

From the years 2000 to 2005, the proportion of the male population that could be considered highly educated has decreased by 0.8 percent. In the year 2005, 29.2 percent of area's male population (+25) achieved a BA or Higher. During the same period, the percent of women (+25) that have earned a BA or higher has increased by a total of 0.8 percent. By 2005, a total of 26.4 percent of the total female population achieved this high level of education.

According to the 2005 American Community Survey in the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metro Area, the largest educational attainment category for men is the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 30.4 percent achieving this level. The female population in the Auburn-Opelika metro area have on average achieved a lower level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men -- 29.2 percent (Men) versus 26.4 percent (Women). The most common level of education for women in the area is Some College or Associates Degree category, with 30.2 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Auburn-Opelika, AL

Since 2000, a medium-high amount of people migrated to Auburn-Opelika, with 937 people migrating in internationally. The migration from outside the US into Auburn-Opelika makes up 3.6 percent of the total migration into the State of Alabama. This percent of international migration is medium-high when comparing levels of immigration per population in 2005.

When measuring the total land area, Auburn-Opelika covers a total land area of 609 square miles. The MSA has a medium-high average area density of 202 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar metro areas, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Binghamton (203 per sq. mile ), Tyler (205 per sq. mile ), Birmingham-Hoover (206 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach (200 per sq. mile ), Lincoln (199 per sq. mile ), Jacksonville (199 per sq. mile ).

In the year 2005, the population division of U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median age in Auburn-Opelika, AL to be 29.0 years of age. The median age in Auburn-Opelika is less than the median age in the State of Alabama of 37.4. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in the median, when the median age was 27.5 years of age. With 36.6 percent of the 2005 population being comprised of individuals under the age of 18, Auburn-Opelika can be understood as being made up of a medium-low percent of people under 18. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a relatively high presence of the population, with 65.7 percent of the population within the age group. People 65 and older make up 11.4 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other metro areas in the US, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

Auburn-Opelika, AL had a population that was estimated at 123,254 in 2005. The total population has increased sharply, from the population in the year 2000 of 115,421. This growth signifies an increase of 6.8 percent. Auburn-Opelika ranks 4 of 11 MSAs in terms of population growth in Alabama and the metro area ranks 194 of 361 metro areas by growth in MSA population in the United States.

Auburn-Opelika, AL has a population that is comprised of 72.6 percent White, 22.9 percent African American, 1.8 percent Asian, and 1.6 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a high amount of racial and ethnic diversity, with 26.3 percent minorities. This is less than the State of Alabama percent of 29.3. Since 2000, Auburn-Opelika has increased in diversity when 25.7 percent of the people were minorities.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.