Total enrollment
7,722
+254 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Gila County
Arizona · Public K-12
Gila County's school count of 39 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 7,722 students inside Arizona, around 14% of the county population. That works out to 15 elementary, 4 middle, and 15 high schools.
4-year change in Gila County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
27
-3 (-10%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Gila County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Arizona | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 7,722 | #12 of 15 | #980 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 27 | #11 of 15 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.8:1 | #5 of 15 | #2,008 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 98.4% | #4 of 8 | #135 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 68.7% | #1 of 15 | #159 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.
Gila County school rankings
Residents
53,795
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
39
15 districts
Enrollment
7,722
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$61,986
Below Arizona avg
Free/reduced lunch
98.4%
Above Arizona avg
Elementary
15
3,794 students
Middle
4
1,550 students
High
15
2,303 students
Combined / other
5
75 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Payson Unified District (4209)
2,144 students · 15 districts in Gila County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Gila 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+
18.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.1%
civilian labor
Median age
51
18.6% under 18
Test scores in Gila County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Arizona state average: 45.4%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- Destiny School· 54.0%
- Payson High School· 40.0%
- Julia Randall Elementary School· 35.0%
- Rim Country Middle School· 30.0%
Cities in Gila County
About Gila County
Gila County is a low-population Arizona county of about 53,795 residents, home to 39 public schools and roughly 7,722 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $61,986, 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
On the school-mix side, Gila County is made up of 15 elementary schools (3,794 students), 4 middle schools (1,550), 15 high schools (2,303), and 5 combined or other schools.
Payson Unified District (4209) is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,144 students across Gila County.
Over the past 4-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 7,722 students, expanded 3% from the 7,468 reported in SY 2020-21. Over that span, Gila County shed 3 schools, going from 30 to 27.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Gila County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data