San Antonio Ranked Low for Intellectualism
A study placed the city 43rd out of the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Cultural
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Maxwell Social released a study in September 2026 that ranked San Antonio 43rd out of 50 U.S. cities for intellectualism. The report evaluated cities based on factors including museums, libraries, universities, and adult education.
Why it matters
The study highlights a potential gap between the social environments available in major U.S. cities and the desire for more idea-centered gatherings. With a large majority of surveyed adults seeking smarter social spaces, the ranking offers a look at how cities compare in providing intellectual infrastructure.
San Antonio earned an intellectualism score of 37.4 out of 100, including a search interest score of 1.5 out of 11.8. Boston topped the 50-city list, while Riverside, California, finished last.
The players
Maxwell Social
This organization conducted the study evaluating intellectualism across 50 major U.S. cities.
The details
Researchers measured cities by analyzing museums, libraries, bookstores, and graduate-level education offerings. The study also incorporated findings from a survey of 905 adults, which revealed that 83% of participants feel local bars are intellectually empty.
Timeline
The study ranking the 50 cities was published in September 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The study reflects a growing cultural divide between traditional nightlife and a demographic shift toward idea-centered social activities. This research follows the findings of the 2026 Maxwell Social intellectualism ranking, which documents a shift in American metropolitan social preferences.
The findings suggest that residents in cities ranked lower on the list may find fewer venues dedicated to intellectual engagement. Readers can evaluate their local environment by observing the availability of public libraries, bookstores, and academic institutions.
The takeaway
The data shows that 66% of surveyed adults would prefer a night focused on ideas rather than drinking. This indicates a significant opportunity for communities to invest in spaces that prioritize conversation and learning over traditional nightlife.
Further reading
For additional context on social trends in the country, explore our Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
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