Total enrollment
1,272
-100 (-7%) vs SY 2020-21
Wilkes County
Georgia · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Wilkes County clocks in around 1,272 students across 5 schools (2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high).
4-year change in Wilkes County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Wilkes County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Georgia | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 33.1% | #91 of 129 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,272 | #126 of 137 | #2,595 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 5 | #102 of 137 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.1:1 | #29 of 137 | #971 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 97.6% | #34 of 137 | #162 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 62.8% | #35 of 137 | #427 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.
Residents
9,549
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
5
2 districts
Enrollment
1,272
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,043
Below Georgia avg
Free/reduced lunch
97.6%
Above Georgia avg
Elementary
2
609 students
Middle
1
285 students
High
2
378 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Wilkes County Public Schools
1,262 students · 2 districts in Wilkes County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Wilkes 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+
16.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.5%
civilian labor
Median age
46
20.2% under 18
Test scores in Wilkes County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. Georgia state average: 40.1%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School | Washington | High | 09-12 | 368 | · |
| Washington-Wilkes Primary School | Washington | Elementary | KG-03 | 365 | · |
| Washington-Wilkes Middle School | Washington | Middle | 06-08 | 285 | · |
| Washington-Wilkes Elementary School | Washington | Elementary | 04-05 | 244 | · |
| Wilkes County Regional Detention Center | Washington | High | 06-12 | 10 | · |
Cities in Wilkes County
About Wilkes County
In Georgia, Wilkes County is a rural-scale county of about 9,549 residents. 5 public schools across the county teaches about 1,272 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $52,043, about 17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 15%. That income level is 17% meaningfully below the Georgia median.
For a sense of the school types, Wilkes County comprises 2 elementary schools (609 students), 1 middle school (285), and 2 high schools (378).
Wilkes County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,262 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment fell 7%: 1,372 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,272 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Wilkes 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