Total enrollment
1,474
-36 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
Brown County
Kansas · Public K-12
Brown County reports 7 public K-12 schools to NCES, against a population of 9,343, with an average school size of 211 students. By level, that breaks down as 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
7-year change in Brown County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
+1 (+17%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
70%
was 74%
% Hispanic
9%
was 8%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,474
NCES CCD
Median income
$62,233
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
59.4%
Above Kansas avg
Elementary
2
563 students
Middle
2
429 students
High
2
411 students
Combined / other
1
71 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hiawatha
879 students · 3 districts in Brown County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Brown 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+
19.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.2%
civilian labor
Median age
42
25.0% under 18
Test scores in Brown County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Hiawatha Middle School· 45.8%
- Hiawatha Elem· 44.6%
- Hiawatha Sr High· 39.7%
- Horton Elem· 37.5%
- Everest Middle· 29.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Horton High· 28.0%
- Everest Middle· 29.0%
- Horton Elem· 37.5%
- Hiawatha Sr High· 39.7%
- Hiawatha Elem· 44.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha Elem | Hiawatha | Elementary | PK-04 | 337 | · |
| Hiawatha Middle School | Hiawatha | Middle | 05-08 | 278 | · |
| Hiawatha Sr High | Hiawatha | High | 09-12 | 264 | · |
| Horton Elem | Horton | Elementary | PK-04 | 226 | · |
| Everest Middle | Everest | Middle | 05-08 | 151 | · |
| Horton High | Horton | High | 09-12 | 147 | · |
| Kickapoo Nation School | Powhattan | Combined | KG-12 | 71 | · |
Cities in Brown County
About Brown County
In Kansas, Brown County is a sparse county of about 9,343 residents. 7 public schools across the county hosts about 1,474 students between them.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $62,233, about 20% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 9%. That income level is 6% noticeably below the Kansas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Brown County consists of 2 elementary schools (563 students), 2 middle schools (429), 2 high schools (411), and 1 combined or other schools.
Hiawatha dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 879 students on its own.
Over the past 7-year window. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment remained close to its prior level: 1,510 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,474 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Brown County gained 1 school, going from 6 to 7. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 74% to 70% over the same window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Brown 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