Total enrollment
3,024
-84 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
Russell County
Kentucky · Public K-12
Russell County reports 6 public K-12 schools and roughly 3,024 students enrolled, per NCES, with a mix of 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high.
7-year change in Russell County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
81%
was 88%
% Hispanic
15%
was 9%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
3,024
NCES CCD
Median income
$44,738
Below Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
69.2%
Above Kentucky avg
Elementary
3
1,513 students
Middle
1
652 students
High
2
859 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Russell County Public Schools
3,024 students · 2 districts in Russell County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Russell 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+
15.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
18.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.4%
civilian labor
Median age
42
23.1% under 18
Test scores in Russell County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Russell Springs Elementary School· 65.3%
- Russell County Middle School· 55.0%
- Salem Elementary School· 50.7%
- Jamestown Elementary School· 45.7%
- Russell County High School· 44.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell County High School | Russell Springs | High | 09-12 | 859 | · |
| Russell County Middle School | Russell Springs | Middle | 06-08 | 652 | · |
| Russell Springs Elementary School | Russell Springs | Elementary | PK-05 | 632 | · |
| Jamestown Elementary School | Jamestown | Elementary | PK-05 | 480 | · |
| Salem Elementary School | Russell Springs | Elementary | PK-05 | 401 | · |
| Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center | Russell Springs | High | 08-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Russell County
About Russell County
Russell County is a small county of about 18,221 residents in Kentucky. Its public-school system educates approximately 3,024 students across 6 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $44,738, 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 18% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 21% lower than the Kentucky median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Russell County covers 3 elementary schools (1,513 students), 1 middle school (652), and 2 high schools (859).
Russell County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,024 students across Russell County.
Over the past 7-year window. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment contracted 3%: 3,108 students in SY 2017-18 versus 3,024 in SY 2024-25. Demographically, the White share of enrollment decreased from 88% to 81%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Russell County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data