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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).

7-year change in Wilkes County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,272
-288 (-18%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
5
+1 (+25%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
34%
was 34%
% Hispanic
11%
was 8%
% Black
49%
was 51%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
5
2 districts
Enrollment
1,272
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
White
52%
Hispanic
5%
Black
40%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
34%
Hispanic
11%
Black
49%
Asian
0%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
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%.

See all 3 schools in Wilkes County ranked by score →

All schools (5)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High SchoolWashingtonHigh09-12368·
Washington-Wilkes Primary SchoolWashingtonElementaryKG-03365·
Washington-Wilkes Middle SchoolWashingtonMiddle06-08285·
Washington-Wilkes Elementary SchoolWashingtonElementary04-05244·
Wilkes County Regional Detention CenterWashingtonHigh06-1210·

Cities in Wilkes County

Washington5 schools

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 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment fell 18%: 1,560 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,272 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Wilkes County opened 1 school, going from 4 to 5.

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

How many public schools are in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County, Georgia has 5 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,272 students.
How many high schools are in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County, Georgia has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 378 students.
How many middle schools are in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County, Georgia has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 285 students.
How many elementary schools are in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County, Georgia has 2 public elementary schools, serving approximately 609 students.
What is the largest school district in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County Public Schools is the largest school district in Wilkes County, serving approximately 1,262 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Wilkes County?
Wilkes County, Georgia has a population of approximately 9,549, with a median age of 46. About 20.2% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Wilkes County?
Median household income in Wilkes County is $52,043, below the Georgia average of $62,740. About 14.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Wilkes County?
Approximately 16.9% of adults 25 and older in Wilkes County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Wilkes County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 97.6% of students in Wilkes County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Georgia county average of 82.6%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wilkes County schools?
Across Wilkes County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.4 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data