Total enrollment
3,199
-46 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Mercer County
Kentucky · Public K-12
Across 8 public schools, Mercer County, Kentucky serves roughly 3,199 K-12 students, roughly 1 in 7 residents. By level, that breaks down as 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Mercer County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Mercer County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kentucky | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 45.8% | #28 of 109 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,199 | #55 of 110 | #1,779 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #64 of 110 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.7:1 | #62 of 110 | #1,994 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 59.1% | #67 of 110 | #1,153 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 29.8% | #41 of 110 | #1,815 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Mercer County school rankings
Residents
23,028
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
3,199
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$64,824
Above Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
59.1%
Below Kentucky avg
Elementary
2
1,283 students
Middle
1
581 students
High
4
810 students
Combined / other
1
525 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Mercer County Public Schools
2,674 students · 3 districts in Mercer County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Mercer 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+
24.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.4%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.8% under 18
Test scores in Mercer County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County Senior High School | Harrodsburg | High | 09-12 | 748 | · |
| Mercer County Elementary School | Harrodsburg | Elementary | PK-02 | 713 | · |
| Kenneth D. King Middle School | Harrodsburg | Middle | 06-08 | 581 | · |
| Mercer County Intermediate School | Harrodsburg | Elementary | 03-05 | 570 | · |
| Burgin Independent School | Burgin | Combined | PK-12 | 525 | · |
| Mercer Central | Harrodsburg | High | 09-12 | 51 | · |
| Mercer County Day Treatment | Harrodsburg | High | 06-12 | 11 | · |
| Trailblazer Academy | Harrodsburg | High | 08-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Mercer County
About Mercer County
In Kentucky, Mercer County is a small county of about 23,028 residents. 8 public schools across the county teaches about 3,199 students between them.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $64,824 a year, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 14% noticeably above the Kentucky median.
For a sense of the school types, Mercer County comprises 2 elementary schools (1,283 students), 1 middle school (581), 4 high schools (810), and 1 combined or other schools.
Mercer County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,674 students across Mercer County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,199 students, remained close to its prior level from the 3,245 reported in SY 2020-21.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Mercer County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data