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Smith County

Kansas · Public K-12

Public K-12 enrollment in Smith County totals about 534 students across 4 schools, an average of 134 per campus. Smith Center is the largest district. The level mix is 2 elementary and 2 high schools.

7-year change in Smith County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
534
+17 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
4
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
90%
was 90%
% Hispanic
2%
was 3%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
4
2 districts
Enrollment
534
NCES CCD
Median income
$59,135
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.9%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
2
291 students
Middle
0
schools
High
2
243 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Smith Center
436 students · 2 districts in Smith County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Smith 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
94%
Hispanic
3%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
90%
Hispanic
2%
Black
2%
Asian
0%
Two or more
6%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
25.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
3.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
0.6%
civilian labor
Median age
49
20.0% under 18

Test scores in Smith County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.

Top 2 schools (ELA)
  1. Smith Center Elem· 66.1%
  2. Smith Center Jr Sr High· 59.8%

See all 2 schools in Smith County ranked by score →

All schools (4)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Smith Center ElemSmith CenterElementaryPK-06253·
Smith Center Jr Sr HighSmith CenterHigh07-12183·
THUNDER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOLKensingtonHigh09-1260·
THUNDER RIDGE ELEMENTARYKensingtonElementaryKG-0338·

Cities in Smith County

Kensington2 schoolsSmith Center2 schools

About Smith County

In Kansas, Smith County is a thinly populated county of about 3,552 residents. 4 public schools across the county instructs about 534 students between them.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $59,135, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 4%. That income level is 11% meaningfully below the Kansas median.

On the school-mix side, Smith County is made up of 2 elementary schools (291 students), and 2 high schools (243).

The largest single district in Smith County is Smith Center, which alone enrolls about 436 students.

Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 534 students, climbed 3% from the 517 reported in SY 2017-18.

On this page, the community for Smith County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Smith County?
Smith County, Kansas has 4 public K-12 schools serving approximately 534 students.
How many high schools are in Smith County?
Smith County, Kansas has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 243 students.
How many elementary schools are in Smith County?
Smith County, Kansas has 2 public elementary schools, serving approximately 291 students.
What is the largest school district in Smith County?
Smith Center is the largest school district in Smith County, serving approximately 436 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Smith County?
Smith County, Kansas has a population of approximately 3,552, with a median age of 49. About 20.0% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Smith County?
Median household income in Smith County is $59,135, below the Kansas average of $66,199. About 3.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Smith County?
Approximately 25.6% of adults 25 and older in Smith County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Smith County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 51.9% of students in Smith County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Kansas county average of 52.0%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Smith County schools?
Across Smith County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 10.5 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Smith County?
Smith County residents are approximately 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 0% Black, 0% Asian, 4% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data