Pat yourself on the back, brainiacs. We're smarter than Seattle, and New York City doesn't even make the list.

The Albany-area is number 9 on the list of the nation's "Smartest Cities," according to SmartPlanet.com. That's because 49 percent of the adults 25 and older, hold at least an associate degree.

The District of Columbia tops the list with 54.37 percent of adults who holding at least that two-year degree. San Jose is next with 54.08 percent of adults and Boston is third with 54.01 percent. Seattle, where 48 percent hold degrees, came in at number 10 on the list.

The rankings were compiled by the Lumina Foundation, which supports an expansion of the number of adults holding degrees. The Albany ranking also includes Troy and Schenectady.

That means we are well above 40 percent national average of adults 25 and older who hold an associate degree, according to the website — http://www.smartplanet.com/.

The number of Americans who hold at least bachelor's degree is also growing. For the first time ever, the website points out, 30 percent of adults over 25 have at least a bachelor's degree.

New York City came in a few notches below the Capital Region. Just 45.88 percent of New Yorkers 25 and older hold at least an associate degree.

Many of the cities that had a high percentage of residents who hold higher-education degrees also made the Forbes "Most Innovative Cities" list. Albany came in at number 15 on that ranking.

swaldman@timesunion.com • 518-454-5080 • @518Schools