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Tobacco Road redrawn: ‘Brainiest' survey relocates UNC and NCSU - temporarily

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Note: The Skinny blog is written by Rick Smith, editor and co-founder of Local Tech Wire and business editor of WRAL.com.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – A new study reaffirms a fact known for many years but it also manages to relocate UNC from Chapel Hill to Raleigh and N.C. State to Chapel Hill from Raleigh.

Tobacco Road redrawn!

How brainy is this study, anyway?

We all make mistakes. Heaven knows The Skinny has made plenty over the years. However …

Richard Florida, the man behind the “creative class” literature, recently surveyed the U.S. to find where the “brainiacs” live. The Triangle fares well with Durham-Chapel Hill ranking second and Raleigh-Cary 12th.

But here’s how the blogpost about the “Brainiest Metros”reads:

“America’s Brainiest Metros are a mix of large metros with a significant presence of technology and knowledge-based businesses and the nation’s premiere college and university towns. Not surprisingly, the presence of a major research university appears to be one of the most decisive variables. Durham or Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina, home to Duke University and North Carolina State, takes second place, with neighboring Raleigh-Cary (home to the University of North Carolina) in 12th. Both are part of the famed North Carolina Research Triangle. …”

The post later was corrected. UNC and NCSU are now back home.

It’s been a matter of record for many years that the Triangle is home to a very high percentage of PhDs. The universities, high-tech and life science firms make the RTP area a huge creative hub.

So, the brainiac survey is a nice once to add to the region’s growing resume of accolades – from best place to live and work to many more.

The Brainiest Metros Index was calculated on three factors:

1. Share of adults 25 or over with PhD, master’s or professional degree

2. Computer scientists and mathematicians as a share of employment

3. Scientists as a share of total metro employment

For the full report, read here.

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The Skinny

WRAL Local Tech Wire Publisher and Editor Rick Smith dishes out tidbits from the local technology sector. Read more articles…