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Nicholas County

Kentucky · Public K-12

Nicholas County's public-school directory totals 2 campuses, with student enrollment near 1,080. Nicholas County Public Schools is the largest district. Median household income runs around $59,531. By grade band, the county runs 1 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Nicholas County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,080
-28 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
2
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 94%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
2
1 districts
Enrollment
1,080
NCES CCD
Median income
$59,531
Above Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
62.6%
Above Kentucky avg
Elementary
1
645 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
435 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Nicholas County Public Schools
1,080 students · 1 district in Nicholas County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Nicholas 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
96%
Hispanic
1%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
93%
Hispanic
5%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
1%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
9.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.1%
civilian labor
Median age
41
24.4% under 18

Test scores in Nicholas County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.

See all 2 schools in Nicholas County ranked by score →

All schools (2)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Nicholas County Elementary SchoolCarlisleElementaryPK-06645·
Nicholas County High SchoolCarlisleHigh07-12435·

Cities in Nicholas County

Carlisle2 schools

About Nicholas County

Across the thinly populated Kentucky county of Nicholas County of about 7,708 residents, the public-school footprint covers 2 schools and about 1,080 students.

In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $59,531 a year, 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 14%. That income level is 5% higher than the Kentucky median.

For a sense of the school types, Nicholas County consists of 1 elementary school (645 students), and 1 high school (435).

The largest single district in Nicholas County is Nicholas County Public Schools, which alone enrolls about 1,080 students.

Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,080 students, declined 3% from the 1,108 reported in SY 2017-18.

On allk12, the community for Nicholas County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, Kentucky has 2 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,080 students.
How many high schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, Kentucky has 1 public high school, serving approximately 435 students.
How many elementary schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, Kentucky has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 645 students.
What is the largest school district in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County Public Schools is the largest school district in Nicholas County, serving approximately 1,080 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County has roughly 7,708 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Nicholas County?
Median household income in Nicholas County is $59,531, above the Kentucky average of $56,863. About 13.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Nicholas County?
Approximately 9.8% of adults 25 and older in Nicholas County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Nicholas County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 62.6% of students in Nicholas County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Kentucky county average of 62.1%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nicholas County schools?
Across Nicholas County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 17.9 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Nicholas County?
Nicholas County residents are approximately 96% White, 1% Hispanic, 1% Black, 2% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data