Total enrollment
2,172
-187 (-8%) vs SY 2017-18
Bourbon County
Kansas · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Bourbon County number 7 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 310 students per campus. By grade band, the county runs 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
7-year change in Bourbon County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
+1 (+17%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
86%
was 87%
% Hispanic
4%
was 4%
% Black
3%
was 3%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
2 districts
Enrollment
2,172
NCES CCD
Median income
$59,238
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
57.3%
Above Kansas avg
Elementary
4
1,044 students
Middle
1
372 students
High
2
756 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Fort Scott
1,731 students · 2 districts in Bourbon County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Bourbon 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+
23.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.3%
civilian labor
Median age
39
25.0% under 18
Test scores in Bourbon County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- West Bourbon Elementary· 58.3%
- Uniontown High School· 52.1%
- Eugene Ware Elem· 49.8%
- Fort Scott Middle School· 43.3%
- Fort Scott Sr High· 37.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Scott Sr High | Fort Scott | High | 09-12 | 578 | · |
| Fort Scott Middle School | Fort Scott | Middle | 06-08 | 372 | · |
| Eugene Ware Elem | Fort Scott | Elementary | 03-05 | 361 | · |
| Winfield Scott Elem | Fort Scott | Elementary | KG-02 | 311 | · |
| West Bourbon Elementary | Uniontown | Elementary | PK-06 | 263 | · |
| Uniontown High School | Uniontown | High | 07-12 | 178 | · |
| Fort Scott Preschool Center | Fort Scott | Elementary | PK-PK | 109 | · |
Cities in Bourbon County
About Bourbon County
Bourbon County is a rural-scale Kansas county of about 14,394 residents, home to 7 public schools and roughly 2,172 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $59,238 a year, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 11% below the Kansas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Bourbon County is made up of 4 elementary schools (1,044 students), 1 middle school (372), and 2 high schools (756).
The largest single district in Bourbon County is Fort Scott, which alone enrolls about 1,731 students.
Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,172 students, fell 8% from the 2,359 reported in SY 2017-18. Bourbon County now counts 7 public schools, up from 6 in SY 2017-18.
On this page, the community for Bourbon County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data