Demographic Trends in the NY-NJ Metropolitan Region. Educational Attainment and Economic Opportunity. Analysis of Key Findings from the 1990 Census of Population.

This report, fourth in the New York-New Jersey Port Authority's series of analyses of 1990 census data, explores correlations between educational attainment and economic opportunity in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. Reviewing census data for the region's adults (persons aged 25 and over makes clear the singular importance of education in determining economic outcomes. The median income of college graduates is 80 percent higher than that of high school graduates. In turn, the median income for high school graduates is almost 60 percent higher than that of persons without a high school diploma. More than 80 percent of college graduates are employed, but less than 40 percent of those who did not complete high school are employed. The incidence of poverty is heavily concentrated at the bottom of the ladder of educational attainment. The economic advantages of increased education accrue to all racial and ethnic groups and to both sexes. Findings suggest that increasing students' educational attainment is the most effective economic-development strategy the New York-New Jersey area can pursue. Fourteen tables and 11 figures illustrate the discussion. (SLD)