Forbes: New Orleans #1 for “Brainpower” in the USA

Another ranking was recently announced that reinforces the growing trend of New Orleans being one of the leading places for young people to locate.  It is one of the most exciting transformations I have ever seen and one of the most encouraging signs for our future.

Forbes has ranked Greater New Orleans tied for first in America for growth in college grads from 2007 – 2012, earning the title #1 “Brainpower City” in the USA.  The New Orleans metro gained 44,000 grads from 2007 to 2012, a 20.3% increase, nearly double the national average of 10.9%.  The author of the article, Joel Kotkin, explains that Greater New Orleans is the leader of a broader national trend:  “Unable to afford to settle long-term in traditional “brain centers,” educated people are increasingly looking for places that have strong economies but also many of the cultural and natural amenities associated with the traditional meccas for the educated.”

The Top 10 “Brainpower Cities” in the USA are:

1. New Orleans metro
1. San Antonio (tie)
3. Austin
4. Nashville
5. Louisville
6. Houston
7. Denver
8. Salt Lake City
9. Jacksonville
10. Raleigh

 You can read the entire article here.