Average IQ in Georgia: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~98
US Ranking
#35
of 50 states
Region
South
Note: No state administers IQ tests to its residents. These estimates are proxy conversions from standardized achievement scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) — an approach popularized by McDaniel's 2006 state-IQ estimates in the journal Intelligence — combined with demographic data. Proxy conversions carry real limitations: SAT/ACT participation rates differ sharply by state and bias comparisons, and the variation within any state dwarfs the differences between states. Figures are shown rounded; decimal precision would overstate what these proxies can support. They say nothing about any individual resident.
About Georgia's IQ Ranking
Georgia's ranking is shaped by the contrast between metro Atlanta — a growing tech, media, and finance hub with excellent universities (Georgia Tech, Emory) — and the more rural southern and eastern parts of the state with limited educational resources. Atlanta has become a magnet for educated Black professionals, contributing to the city's reputation as a cultural and economic center. However, rural Georgia faces persistent poverty and educational challenges.
What Shapes Georgia's Cognitive Profile
The HOPE scholarship, funded by lottery revenue since 1993, rewrote the economics of college for Georgia families and became the template for merit aid programs in a dozen other states, measurably increasing the share of strong students choosing UGA and Georgia Tech over out-of-state options. Georgia Tech now enrolls one of the largest engineering student bodies in the country and runs a massive low-cost online master's program in computer science. The film and television industry, drawn by tax credits, built a production workforce around Atlanta that barely existed in 2005. Quick Start, the state's free customized workforce training program, is routinely cited in site-selection decisions by manufacturers like Kia in West Point and Hyundai near Savannah. Rural counties in the old Black Belt continue losing population and struggle to staff schools. Military installations at Fort Moore and Robins add steady technical employment. The estimated average is rising on Atlanta's gravitational pull.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Georgia vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | ~98 | #35 |
| Virginia | ~102 | #9 |
| Maryland | ~102 | #12 |
| Texas | ~100 | #26 |
| North Carolina | ~99 | #28 |
| Florida | ~98 | #32 |
| Tennessee | ~97 | #39 |
| Oklahoma | ~97 | #39 |
| South Carolina | ~96 | #41 |
| Kentucky | ~96 | #42 |
| Alabama | ~96 | #43 |
| West Virginia | ~96 | #44 |
| Louisiana | ~95 | #45 |
| Arkansas | ~95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | ~94 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Georgia?
Georgia's estimated average IQ is 98.0, ranking #35. Atlanta's booming knowledge economy raises the average, while rural communities with limited educational resources bring it down.
How is Atlanta changing Georgia's profile?
Atlanta has transformed into one of the South's premier knowledge economy hubs, attracting tech companies, film industry investment, and highly educated professionals. Georgia Tech is a top engineering school drawing talent from worldwide.
How does Georgia compare to other Southern states?
Georgia (98.0) ranks above Mississippi and Alabama but below Virginia (101.9) and North Carolina. Atlanta's growth trajectory suggests Georgia's ranking may improve over time.
Explore Other States
Take our free IQ test to see how you compare, or learn what IQ actually measures.
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.