Total enrollment
17,037
-269 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
Hardin County
Kentucky · Public K-12
Hardin County runs 34 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 501 students. By level, that breaks down as 16 elementary, 6 middle, and 7 high schools.
7-year change in Hardin County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
33
-1 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
65%
was 67%
% Hispanic
10%
was 8%
% Black
12%
was 14%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
34
2 districts
Enrollment
17,037
NCES CCD
Median income
$67,647
Above Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.2%
Below Kentucky avg
Elementary
16
8,009 students
Middle
6
3,539 students
High
7
5,067 students
Combined / other
5
422 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hardin County Public Schools
14,583 students · 2 districts in Hardin County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hardin 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+
24.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.6%
civilian labor
Median age
37
24.7% under 18
Test scores in Hardin County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 25 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Elizabethtown High School· 64.0%
- Rineyville Elementary School· 61.7%
- Lincoln Trail Elementary School· 61.0%
- Vine Grove Elementary School· 59.7%
- East Hardin Middle School· 59.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Radcliff Elementary School· 31.3%
- HCS Virtual Academy· 32.5%
- North Middle School· 35.7%
- Woodland Elementary School· 40.3%
- James T Alton Middle School· 41.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Hardin High School | Cecilia | High | 09-12 | 1,831 | · |
| North Hardin High School | Radcliff | High | 09-12 | 1,593 | · |
| John Hardin High School | Elizabethtown | High | 09-12 | 868 | · |
| East Hardin Middle School | Elizabethtown | Middle | 06-08 | 775 | · |
| Elizabethtown High School | Elizabethtown | High | 09-12 | 757 | · |
| Lincoln Trail Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | PK-05 | 653 | · |
| G C Burkhead Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | PK-05 | 634 | · |
| James T Alton Middle School | Vine Grove | Middle | 06-08 | 612 | · |
| North Park Elementary School | Radcliff | Elementary | PK-KG | 604 | · |
| Bluegrass Middle School | Elizabethtown | Middle | 06-08 | 583 | · |
| North Middle School | Radcliff | Middle | 06-08 | 567 | · |
| Heartland Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | PK-05 | 564 | · |
| Rineyville Elementary School | Rineyville | Elementary | PK-05 | 554 | · |
| Woodland Elementary School | Radcliff | Elementary | 01-05 | 537 | · |
| Talton K Stone Middle School | Elizabethtown | Middle | 06-08 | 526 | · |
| Meadow View Elementary School | Radcliff | Elementary | KG-05 | 514 | · |
| New Highland Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | PK-05 | 505 | · |
| Vine Grove Elementary School | Vine Grove | Elementary | 01-05 | 493 | · |
| Cecilia Valley Elementary School | Cecilia | Elementary | PK-05 | 490 | · |
| West Hardin Middle School | Cecilia | Middle | 06-08 | 476 | · |
| Creekside Elementary School | Sonora | Elementary | PK-05 | 474 | · |
| Lakewood Elementary School | Cecilia | Elementary | PK-05 | 463 | · |
| Helmwood Heights Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | 01-05 | 461 | · |
| Morningside Elementary School | Elizabethtown | Elementary | 01-05 | 455 | · |
| Radcliff Elementary School | Radcliff | Elementary | 01-05 | 386 | · |
| Panther Academy | Elizabethtown | Elementary | PK-KG | 222 | · |
| College View Campus | Elizabethtown | Combined | KG-12 | 210 | · |
| HCS Virtual Academy | Elizabethtown | Combined | KG-12 | 123 | · |
| Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health Systems | Radcliff | Combined | 01-12 | 63 | · |
| Valley View Education Center | Elizabethtown | Combined | KG-12 | 23 | · |
| Glen Dale Center | Elizabethtown | High | 07-12 | 10 | · |
| Hardin County Day Treatment Center | Elizabethtown | High | 06-12 | 8 | · |
| Spectrum Care Academy | Elizabethtown | Combined | 02-09 | 3 | · |
| Early College and Career Center | Elizabethtown | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Hardin County
About Hardin County
In Kentucky, Hardin County is an average-sized county of about 111,942 residents. 34 public schools across the county serves about 17,037 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $67,647, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 10%. That income level is 19% higher than the Kentucky median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Hardin County is built around 16 elementary schools (8,009 students), 6 middle schools (3,539), 7 high schools (5,067), and 5 combined or other schools.
Hardin County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 14,583 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment remained close to its prior level: 17,306 students in SY 2017-18 versus 17,037 in SY 2024-25. Hardin County now counts 33 public schools, down from 34 in SY 2017-18.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Hardin County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Hardin County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data