While not being dead last is a good thing ... we can do better than this, can't we? 27? Really? That's kinda sad.
And, before you hike your britches because our city actually beat Greensboro on a list, consider this: Fourteen other countries are more literate than the United States. (But, hey, we're the best! Go USA)
Charlotte ranks No. 27 among the nations 75 most-literate major cities, according to a national survey by Central Connecticut State University.Among the N.C. cities included in the study, Raleigh ranked highest at No. 19. Greensboro was No. 36.
The report scored cities with 250,000 or more residents on several indicators, including education level, Internet use, newspaper circulation, number of booksellers, library services and local publications.
The study, titled Americas Most Literate Cities 2009, measures cultural offerings and reading resources among major national cities. The study compares literacy with other quality of life factors, finding that cities that rank high for literacy also tend to feature great singles scenes.
Read the rest of this Charlotte Business Journal article here.
You can help by volunteering your time with organizations like Reach Out and Read. They have 17 locations in the Q.C. alone. No time? Donate books.