Average IQ in Alabama
Average IQ
95.7
US Ranking
#43
of 50 states
Region
South
Note: State-level IQ estimates are derived from standardized test scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) and demographic data. They reflect population-level trends influenced by education funding, socioeconomic factors, and demographics — not the intelligence of any individual resident.
About Alabama's IQ Ranking
Alabama ranks in the lower tier of US states, reflecting longstanding challenges in education funding, rural poverty, and historical underinvestment in public schools. However, Huntsville has emerged as a high-tech hub (NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, defense contractors) with educational outcomes rivaling many Northern states. Birmingham and Auburn/Tuscaloosa also have educated populations, but rural Alabama continues to face significant educational challenges.
What Shapes Alabama's Cognitive Profile
Alabama's 2024 NAEP results startled education researchers: fourth grade math climbed from the bottom of national rankings into the middle, gains credited to the 2022 Numeracy Act, which placed math coaches in elementary schools on the model of earlier literacy coaching. Automotive manufacturing has changed the state's skill demands since Mercedes-Benz arrived in Vance in 1993, followed by Honda, Hyundai, and the Mazda Toyota joint plant, together employing tens of thousands. UAB in Birmingham has quietly become the state's largest employer and a major NIH-funded research center. The Black Belt counties, named for their soil and now marked by depopulation, remain the deepest challenge, with some districts unable to field certified math teachers at all. Auburn's engineering programs feed both the auto corridor and Huntsville aerospace. Property taxes remain among America's lowest under the 1901 constitution, capping local school revenue. The estimated average sits low but is moving in a measurable, documented direction upward.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Alabama vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 95.7 | #43 |
| Virginia | 101.9 | #9 |
| Maryland | 102.3 | #12 |
| Texas | 99.6 | #26 |
| North Carolina | 99.2 | #28 |
| Florida | 98.4 | #32 |
| Georgia | 98 | #35 |
| Tennessee | 97.1 | #39 |
| Oklahoma | 97 | #39 |
| South Carolina | 96.4 | #41 |
| Kentucky | 96 | #42 |
| West Virginia | 95.5 | #44 |
| Louisiana | 95.3 | #45 |
| Arkansas | 95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | 94.2 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Alabama?
Alabama's estimated average IQ is 95.7, ranking #43. The state faces educational funding challenges, though Huntsville's tech sector and the university system provide bright spots.
Why does Alabama rank low?
Alabama's ranking reflects historical underinvestment in public education, persistent rural poverty, and limited economic diversification outside a few metro areas. However, Huntsville's aerospace sector and university improvements are driving positive change.
Is Alabama's education improving?
Yes, particularly in metro areas. Huntsville consistently ranks among the most educated small cities in the US. Birmingham's medical and financial sectors are growing. The challenge is extending improvements to rural communities.
Explore Other States
Take our free IQ test to see how you compare, or learn what IQ actually measures.
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.