Total enrollment
414
+7 (+2%) vs SY 2017-18
Sierra County
California · Public K-12
Sierra County runs 7 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 59 students. By grade band, the county runs 2 elementary and 4 high schools.
7-year change in Sierra County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
72%
was 77%
% Hispanic
19%
was 15%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
414
NCES CCD
Median income
$63,355
Below California avg
Free/reduced lunch
35.0%
Below California avg
Elementary
2
225 students
Middle
0
schools
High
4
189 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified
414 students · 3 districts in Sierra County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Sierra 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+
25.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
12.6%
civilian labor
Median age
55
14.5% under 18
Test scores in Sierra County
Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. California state average: 47.6%.
Top 2 schools (ELA)
- Loyalton High· 40.0%
- Loyalton Elementary· 30.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalton Elementary | Loyalton | Elementary | KG-06 | 199 | · |
| Loyalton High | Loyalton | High | 07-12 | 165 | · |
| Downieville Elementary | Downieville | Elementary | KG-06 | 26 | · |
| Downieville Junior-Senior High | Downieville | High | 07-12 | 19 | · |
| Sierra Pass (Continuation) | Loyalton | High | 09-12 | 5 | · |
| Sierra County Special Education | Loyalton | Combined | KG-12 | 0 | · |
| William R. Rouse ROP | Sierraville | High | 10-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Sierra County
About Sierra County
Sierra County is a low-population county of about 2,746 residents in California. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 414 students across 7 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $63,355, about 26% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%. That income level is 29% noticeably below the California median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Sierra County spans 2 elementary schools (225 students), 4 high schools (189), and 1 combined or other schools.
Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 414 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Sierra County has stayed largely flat since SY 2017-18, moving from about 407 students to 414. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 77% to 72%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Sierra County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data