Total enrollment
20,332
+842 (+4%) vs SY 2020-21
Craighead County
Arkansas · Public K-12
Public K-12 enrollment in Craighead County totals about 20,332 students across 37 schools, an average of 550 per school. Jonesboro School District is the largest district. By level, that breaks down as 21 elementary, 7 middle, and 9 high schools.
4-year change in Craighead County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
36
+2 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Craighead County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Arkansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 31.3% | #41 of 66 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 20,332 | #4 of 68 | #478 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 36 | #5 of 68 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.2:1 | #60 of 65 | #1,448 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 66.8% | #45 of 68 | #839 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 59.4% | #12 of 66 | #598 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.
Craighead County school rankings
Residents
113,249
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
37
8 districts
Enrollment
20,332
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$59,548
Above Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
66.8%
Below Arkansas avg
Elementary
21
10,314 students
Middle
7
4,601 students
High
9
5,417 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT
6,762 students · 8 districts in Craighead County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Craighead 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+
29.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.6%
civilian labor
Median age
35
25.2% under 18
Test scores in Craighead County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 29 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 34.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- MATH & SCIENCE MAGNET SCHOOL· 9.6%
- LEADERSHIP MAGNET SCHOOL· 11.4%
- NETTLETON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 17.2%
- FOX MEADOW SCHOOL OF CREATIVE MEDIA· 19.0%
- NETTLETON HIGH SCHOOL· 20.6%
Cities in Craighead County
About Craighead County
Craighead County is a medium-population Arkansas county of about 113,249 residents, home to 37 public schools and roughly 20,332 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $59,548, roughly 30% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 15%. That income level is 14% higher than the Arkansas median.
On the school-mix side, Craighead County covers 21 elementary schools (10,314 students), 7 middle schools (4,601), and 9 high schools (5,417).
JONESBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 6,762 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Craighead County has grew 4% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 19,490 students to 20,332. Over that span, Craighead County gained 2 schools, going from 34 to 36.
On this page, the community for Craighead County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data