Total enrollment
4,240
-87 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
Adams County
Indiana · Public K-12
Adams County, Indiana reports 9 public K-12 schools to NCES, set against a county population of about 36,227, with a mix of 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high.
7-year change in Adams County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
-1 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
86%
was 85%
% Hispanic
9%
was 9%
% Black
1%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
9
3 districts
Enrollment
4,240
NCES CCD
Median income
$65,289
Below Indiana avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.8%
Below Indiana avg
Elementary
3
1,976 students
Middle
3
892 students
High
3
1,372 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
North Adams Community Schools
1,571 students · 3 districts in Adams County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Adams 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
7.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.8%
civilian labor
Median age
33
31.3% under 18
Test scores in Adams County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Indiana state average: 39.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Adams Central Middle School· 50.3%
- Adams Central Elementary School· 42.9%
- South Adams Elementary School· 42.2%
- Bellmont Middle School· 41.7%
- South Adams Middle School· 38.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Bellmont Elementary· 38.2%
- South Adams Middle School· 38.4%
- Bellmont Middle School· 41.7%
- South Adams Elementary School· 42.2%
- Adams Central Elementary School· 42.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellmont Elementary | Decatur | Elementary | PK-05 | 684 | · |
| South Adams Elementary School | Berne | Elementary | PK-05 | 671 | · |
| Adams Central Elementary School | Monroe | Elementary | PK-05 | 621 | · |
| Bellmont Senior High School | Decatur | High | 09-12 | 613 | · |
| Adams Central High School | Monroe | High | 09-12 | 412 | · |
| South Adams High School | Berne | High | 09-12 | 347 | · |
| Adams Central Middle School | Monroe | Middle | 06-08 | 324 | · |
| South Adams Middle School | Berne | Middle | 06-08 | 294 | · |
| Bellmont Middle School | Decatur | Middle | 06-08 | 274 | · |
Cities in Adams County
About Adams County
Adams County is a rural-scale Indiana county of about 36,227 residents, home to 9 public schools and roughly 4,240 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $65,289, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 7%. That income level is 7% below the Indiana median.
In terms of grade levels, Adams County is made up of 3 elementary schools (1,976 students), 3 middle schools (892), and 3 high schools (1,372).
North Adams Community Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,571 students across Adams County.
Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment held roughly steady: 4,327 students in SY 2017-18 versus 4,240 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 10 to 9 across the same 7-year window.
On allk12, the community for Adams County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Adams County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data