Emotional intelligence has recently become a popular psychological const-ruct thatrnattmcted not only acadernicians, practitioners and business firms but also popular mediarnpress based on the belief that it explains the variance left unexplained by traditional IQ inrnthe success equation. The purpose of this study WIIS to examine the link between sornerndemographic variables (sex, age, educational level and place of upbringing) as well asrnacademic achievement and emotional intelligence among adolescent and young adultrnstudents found in Adama town. For these purposes, 135 secondary and 225 universitljrnstudents (50% males and 50% females) were selected from one secondary school and arnuniversitlj found in Adama town. Emotional intelligence was assessed 1.lsing a 53 itemrnemotional intelligen ce test while IIcadelll.ic achievement was appraised by CGPA andrnaverage scores in all subjects for universitlj and secondary students, respectively. Otherrnrelevant data were gathered through demographic questionnaire. The study revealed thatrnII positive and significant relationship was found between two branches and total score ofrnemotional intelligence and academ.ic achievem.ent among university students while nornsignificant relation at all wns seen in secondary school students. On the other hand,rnsignifiCllnt differences were observed between lnales and females, adolescents and youngrnadults as well as secondary and university participants in their emol'ional intelligencernbranches and total scores. Furthermore, adolescents and young adults whose upbringingrnwas entirely urban scored significantly higher on three branches and total EI. Yet, nornsignifiCllnt differences in enwtional intelligence branches and total scores were detectedrnamong participants whose upbringing was partially rural/urban and those grown uprnen tirely in rural areas.