Total enrollment
15,127
+758 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Houston County
Alabama · Public K-12
Of the public K-12 schools operating across Alabama, 35 sit inside Houston County, collectively enrolling roughly 15,127 students (16 elementary, 5 middle, and 11 high).
4-year change in Houston County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
30
+7 (+30%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Houston County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Alabama | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 43.1% | #26 of 64 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 15,127 | #14 of 65 | #591 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 30 | #14 of 65 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 17.8:1 | #51 of 65 | #2,428 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 63.4% | #23 of 65 | #963 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 62.2% | #6 of 64 | #461 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Houston County school rankings
Residents
108,140
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
35
3 districts
Enrollment
15,127
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$58,626
Above Alabama avg
Free/reduced lunch
63.4%
Above Alabama avg
Elementary
16
7,326 students
Middle
5
2,797 students
High
11
4,758 students
Combined / other
3
246 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Dothan City
8,220 students · 3 districts in Houston County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Houston County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
23.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.5%
civilian labor
Median age
40
22.9% under 18
Test scores in Houston County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 27 schools ranked. Alabama state average: 53.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Ashford High School· 20.2%
- Faine Elementary School· 26.8%
- Rehobeth High School· 26.8%
- Girard Elementary School· 28.2%
- Dothan 6th Grade Center· 28.7%
Cities in Houston County
About Houston County
Across the middle-population Alabama county of Houston County of about 108,140 residents, the public-school footprint covers 35 schools and about 15,127 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $58,626 a year, 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 13%. That income level is 6% higher than the Alabama median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Houston County consists of 16 elementary schools (7,326 students), 5 middle schools (2,797), 11 high schools (4,758), and 3 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Houston County is Dothan City, which alone enrolls about 8,220 students.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Houston County has rose 5% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 14,369 students to 15,127. Houston County now counts 30 public schools, up from 23 in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Houston County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data