Website: Tega Cay ‘Smartest City in S.C.’; Fort Mill No. 8
The city that likes to be known for its recreation opportunities and foliage can now boast about its collective brain power as well.
Career-oriented website Zippia ranked Tega Cay No. 1 on its list of the “Smartest Cities in South Carolina” with a population over 5,000.
“It makes sense,” Tega Cay Mayor George Sheppard said, somewhat tongue-in-cheek. “We’re the best, brightest and smartest.
“It’s because of our recreation – all that activity gets the brain juices flowing.”
Zippia spokesman John McLean said the list is intended to show cities where they stand, as well as catch the attention of 20-somethings.
“We want the communities we name to know that this is what the data is telling us objectively, to be proud, and to know that economically your town has more to offer than others,” McLean said.
The rankings are based on the percentage of adults 25 and older with at least a high school degree and the percentage of high school dropouts between the ages of 16 and 20 for the 62 largest cities and towns in the state, according to a Zippia press release. McLean said the top 10 likely have better schools than elsewhere in the state – information that could be useful to young adults and others looking to relocate.
In Tega Cay, with a population of more than 9,000 only 2.3 percent of adults over 25 lack a high school diploma and the teenage dropout rate is 0.0 percent, according to Zippia’s data.
Fort Mill also made the grade, coming in at No. 8 on the list. Among the town’s more than 13,000 residents, 10.6 percent of adults over 25 do not possess a high school diploma. However, the town’s dropout rate is the same as Tega Cay’s – statistically zero. Both Fort Mill and Tega Cay are part of the Fort Mill School District.
Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage said she’s pleased her town is on the list and congratulates Tega Cay on its top ranking.
“The same school district produced the same excellent result,” she said. “I’m proud that Fort Mill is on the list. It’s another achievement we can celebrate as a community.”
Michael Harrison: 803-547-2353, @MikeHarrisonFMT
S.C.’s ‘Smartest Cities’
Zippia’s list of the 10 smartest cities in South Carolina, based on the percentage of adults with at least a high school education and low dropout rates:
1) Tega Cay
2) Forest Acres
3) Charleston
4) Mauldin
5) Port Royal
6) Aiken
7) Mount Pleasant
8) Fort Mill
9) Hilton Head Island
10) Lexington
This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Website: Tega Cay ‘Smartest City in S.C.’; Fort Mill No. 8."