Total enrollment
5,348
+339 (+7%) vs SY 2020-21
Wayne County
Georgia · Public K-12
Across all districts in Wayne County, public schools number 8 and enroll approximately 5,348 K-12 students (5 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high).
4-year change in Wayne County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Wayne County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Georgia | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 40.3% | #60 of 129 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 5,348 | #58 of 137 | #1,261 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #58 of 137 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.1:1 | #69 of 137 | #1,436 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 91.0% | #64 of 137 | #264 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 57.8% | #70 of 137 | #683 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.
Wayne County school rankings
Residents
30,949
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
8
1 districts
Enrollment
5,348
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$53,427
Below Georgia avg
Free/reduced lunch
91.0%
Above Georgia avg
Elementary
5
2,605 students
Middle
2
1,167 students
High
1
1,576 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Wayne County Public Schools
5,348 students · 1 district in Wayne County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Wayne 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+
16.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
17.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.2%
civilian labor
Median age
38
23.9% under 18
Test scores in Wayne County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Georgia state average: 40.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Odum Elementary School· 51.2%
- Martha Puckett Middle School· 35.3%
- Arthur Williams Middle School· 34.6%
- Jesup Elementary School· 30.0%
- Bacon Elementary School· 29.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Screven Elementary School· 22.5%
- Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School· 28.1%
- Bacon Elementary School· 29.3%
- Jesup Elementary School· 30.0%
- Arthur Williams Middle School· 34.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County High School | Jesup | High | 09-12 | 1,576 | · |
| Jesup Elementary School | Jesup | Elementary | PK-05 | 706 | · |
| Bacon Elementary School | Jesup | Elementary | PK-05 | 690 | · |
| Arthur Williams Middle School | Jesup | Middle | 06-08 | 626 | · |
| Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School | Jesup | Elementary | PK-05 | 543 | · |
| Martha Puckett Middle School | Jesup | Middle | 06-08 | 541 | · |
| Odum Elementary School | Odum | Elementary | PK-05 | 441 | · |
| Screven Elementary School | Screven | Elementary | PK-05 | 225 | · |
Cities in Wayne County
About Wayne County
In Georgia, Wayne County is a small county of about 30,949 residents. 8 public schools across the county serves about 5,348 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $53,427, about 16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 18%. That income level is 15% meaningfully below the Georgia median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Wayne County spans 5 elementary schools (2,605 students), 2 middle schools (1,167), and 1 high school (1,576).
Wayne County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 5,348 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Wayne County has increased 7% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 5,009 students to 5,348.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Wayne County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data