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Desha County

Arkansas · Public K-12

Desha County, Arkansas comes in at 7 public K-12 schools on the latest counts, totaling roughly 2,160 students, with a county median household income near $37,662. By level, that breaks down as 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.

7-year change in Desha County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,939
-582 (-23%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
32%
was 34%
% Hispanic
9%
was 8%
% Black
55%
was 56%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
2 districts
Enrollment
2,160
NCES CCD
Median income
$37,662
Below Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
100.0%
Above Arkansas avg
Elementary
3
1,136 students
Middle
2
432 students
High
2
592 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
MCGEHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT
1,121 students · 2 districts in Desha County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Desha 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
White
44%
Hispanic
7%
Black
49%
Asian
0%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
31%
Hispanic
9%
Black
56%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
12.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
20.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
8.0%
civilian labor
Median age
42
24.9% under 18

Test scores in Desha County

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 33.9%.

See all 6 schools in Desha County ranked by score →

All schools (7)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLMcgeheeElementaryPK-05547·
REED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLDumasElementaryPK-05368·
MCGEHEE HIGH SCHOOLMcgeheeHigh09-12326·
DUMAS HIGH SCHOOLDumasHigh09-12266·
CONNER MIDDLE SCHOOLMcgeheeMiddle06-08248·
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLDumasElementaryPK-02221·
DUMAS MIDDLE SCHOOLDumasMiddle06-08184·

Cities in Desha County

Dumas4 schoolsMcgehee3 schools

About Desha County

Desha County is a low-population Arkansas county of about 10,786 residents, home to 7 public schools and roughly 2,160 students.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $37,662, about 13% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 20%. That income level is 28% below the Arkansas median.

On the school-mix side, Desha County consists of 3 elementary schools (1,136 students), 2 middle schools (432), and 2 high schools (592).

MCGEHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,121 students on its own.

Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,939 students, shrank 23% from the 2,521 reported in SY 2017-18.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Desha County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Desha County?
Desha County, Arkansas has 7 public K-12 schools serving approximately 2,160 students.
How many high schools are in Desha County?
Desha County, Arkansas has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 592 students.
How many middle schools are in Desha County?
Desha County, Arkansas has 2 public middle schools, serving approximately 432 students.
How many elementary schools are in Desha County?
Desha County, Arkansas has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,136 students.
What is the largest school district in Desha County?
MCGEHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT is the largest school district in Desha County, serving approximately 1,121 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Desha County?
Desha County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 10,786, with a median age of 42. About 24.9% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Desha County?
Median household income in Desha County is $37,662, below the Arkansas average of $52,446. About 20.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Desha County?
Approximately 12.6% of adults 25 and older in Desha County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Desha County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 100.0% of students in Desha County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Arkansas county average of 76.1%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Desha County schools?
Across Desha County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 12.2 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data