Total enrollment
2,031
-166 (-8%) vs SY 2020-21
Powell County
Kentucky · Public K-12
Public-school families in Powell County pick from 6 schools serving the county's roughly 2,031 K-12 students, with a mix of 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high.
4-year change in Powell County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Powell County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kentucky | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 28.1% | #107 of 109 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,031 | #82 of 110 | #2,214 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #75 of 110 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.3:1 | #49 of 110 | #1,870 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 67.9% | #29 of 110 | #807 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 10.0% | #90 of 110 | #2,520 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.
Residents
13,038
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
1 districts
Enrollment
2,031
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$40,309
Below Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
67.9%
Above Kentucky avg
Elementary
3
978 students
Middle
1
418 students
High
2
635 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Powell County Public Schools
2,031 students · 1 district in Powell County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Powell 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+
13.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
18.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.8%
civilian labor
Median age
39
24.8% under 18
Test scores in Powell County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Bowen Elementary School· 39.3%
- Stanton Elementary School· 37.7%
- Clay City Elementary School· 30.0%
- Powell County Middle School· 27.3%
- Powell County High School· 27.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powell County High School | Stanton | High | 09-12 | 580 | · |
| Clay City Elementary School | Clay City | Elementary | PK-05 | 425 | · |
| Powell County Middle School | Stanton | Middle | 06-08 | 418 | · |
| Stanton Elementary School | Stanton | Elementary | PK-05 | 322 | · |
| Bowen Elementary School | Stanton | Elementary | PK-05 | 231 | · |
| Powell County Academy | Stanton | High | 06-12 | 55 | · |
Cities in Powell County
About Powell County
Powell County is a thinly populated county of about 13,038 residents in Kentucky. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 2,031 students across 6 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $40,309 a year, 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 19%. That income level is 29% below the Kentucky median.
In terms of grade levels, Powell County spans 3 elementary schools (978 students), 1 middle school (418), and 2 high schools (635).
The largest single district in Powell County is Powell County Public Schools, which alone enrolls about 2,031 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,031 students, decreased 8% from the 2,197 reported in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Powell County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data