Newscruncher is a daily series that breaks down the characteristics of your town by the numbers. You can see more posts by clicking the Newscruncher link above the headline or by checking out our weekend roundups. If you see any technical issues with this map, or if you'd like to suggest ideas for future Newscruncher articles, please email data@patch.com.



The map above shows a snapshot across town of the percentage of people, 25 years old and over, with a graduate or professional degree.



Nationally, there's been a huge increase in the rate of people seeking post-grad degrees: much faster than the growth of undergraduates.



Between 2002-12, people holding doctorate degrees increased by 45 percent, while those who held a master's grew by 43 percent. Those with a master's or doctorate degree number 22.7 million and comprise roughly 11 percent of the total population.



At the same time, student loan debt in the U.S. is at a record high. Debt for graduate and professional students accounted for more than $35 billion of student loans in the 2010-11 academic year alone.