Total enrollment
2,145
-129 (-6%) vs SY 2020-21
Richland County
Illinois · Public K-12
Public schools in Richland County, Illinois total 6, with combined enrollment of about 2,145 students against a county population of 15,598. That breaks down as 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high.
4-year change in Richland County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
+1 (+33%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Richland County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Illinois | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 45.4% | #23 of 88 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,145 | #72 of 89 | #2,163 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 4 | #89 of 89 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.9:1 | #81 of 89 | #1,742 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 51.5% | #41 of 89 | #1,546 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 17.4% | #58 of 89 | #2,248 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
15,598
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
2,145
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$62,455
Below Illinois avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.5%
Above Illinois avg
Elementary
2
1,037 students
Middle
1
439 students
High
3
669 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Richland County CUSD 1
2,145 students · 2 districts in Richland County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Richland 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+
19.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.1%
civilian labor
Median age
42
23.0% under 18
Test scores in Richland County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Illinois state average: 51.0%.
Top 2 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland County Elementary School | Olney | Elementary | KG-05 | 888 | · |
| Richland County High School | Olney | High | 09-12 | 669 | · |
| Richland County Middle School | Olney | Middle | 06-08 | 439 | · |
| Richland County Erly Childhd Ctr | Olney | Elementary | PK-PK | 149 | · |
| ASSIST RSSP 12 | Olney | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| ASSIST TAOEP 12 | Olney | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Richland County
About Richland County
In Illinois, Richland County is a sparse county of about 15,598 residents. 6 public schools across the county enrolls about 2,145 students between them.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $62,455, about 19% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 11% below the Illinois median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Richland County spans 2 elementary schools (1,037 students), 1 middle school (439), and 3 high schools (669).
Richland County CUSD 1 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,145 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Richland County has decreased 6% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,274 students to 2,145. The school count climbed from 3 to 4 across the same 4-year window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Richland County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. 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