Total enrollment
6,930
-513 (-7%) vs SY 2020-21
Mississippi County
Arkansas · Public K-12
Mississippi County's school count of 22 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 6,930 students inside Arkansas, around 18% of the county population. By level, that breaks down as 10 elementary, 4 middle, and 8 high schools.
4-year change in Mississippi County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
21
+2 (+11%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Mississippi County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Arkansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 28.3% | #51 of 66 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,930 | #17 of 68 | #1,065 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 21 | #14 of 68 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.2:1 | #33 of 65 | #334 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 83.6% | #19 of 68 | #444 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 59.8% | #10 of 66 | #577 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.
Mississippi County school rankings
Residents
39,126
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
22
9 districts
Enrollment
6,930
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,548
Above Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
83.6%
Above Arkansas avg
Elementary
10
3,901 students
Middle
4
676 students
High
8
2,353 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
BLYTHEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
1,295 students · 9 districts in Mississippi County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Mississippi 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+
13.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
17.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.9%
civilian labor
Median age
37
25.9% under 18
Test scores in Mississippi County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 19 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 34.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
Cities in Mississippi County
About Mississippi County
Across the sparse Arkansas county of Mississippi County of about 39,126 residents, the public-school footprint covers 22 schools and about 6,930 students.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $52,548, roughly 14% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 17% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
Looking at the level breakdown, Mississippi County comprises 10 elementary schools (3,901 students), 4 middle schools (676), and 8 high schools (2,353).
BLYTHEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,295 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment fell 7%: 7,443 students in SY 2020-21 versus 6,930 in SY 2024-25. The school count climbed from 19 to 21 across the same 4-year window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Mississippi County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data