Total enrollment
14,850
+490 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Van Buren County
Michigan · Public K-12
Van Buren County is one of Michigan's public-school counties, with 45 schools serving about 14,850 students (17 elementary, 6 middle, and 17 high). Median household income in the county is roughly $68,114.
4-year change in Van Buren County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
44
+1 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Van Buren County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 14,850 | #20 of 73 | #599 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 44 | #21 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.0:1 | #30 of 73 | #2,083 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 52.3% | #43 of 73 | #1,504 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 49.7% | #17 of 73 | #1,110 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.
Van Buren County school rankings
Residents
75,795
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
45
15 districts
Enrollment
14,850
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$68,114
Above Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
52.3%
Below Michigan avg
Elementary
17
5,866 students
Middle
6
2,318 students
High
17
5,186 students
Combined / other
5
1,480 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Mattawan Consolidated School
3,545 students · 15 districts in Van Buren County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Van Buren 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+
23.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.2%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.9% under 18
Test scores in Van Buren County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 16 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Mattawan Later Elem School· 65.8%
- Davis Elementary School· 50.8%
- Mattawan Middle School· 49.2%
- Paw Paw Later Elementary· 47.9%
- Gobles Elementary School· 46.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- South Walnut Elementary School· 15.9%
- Redwood Elementary· 21.2%
- Michigan Online School· 26.5%
- Paw Paw Middle School· 30.5%
- Maple Grove Elementary School· 33.3%
Cities in Van Buren County
About Van Buren County
Across the middle-population Michigan county of Van Buren County of about 75,795 residents, the public-school footprint covers 45 schools and about 14,850 students.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $68,114, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
In terms of grade levels, Van Buren County covers 17 elementary schools (5,866 students), 6 middle schools (2,318), 17 high schools (5,186), and 5 combined or other schools.
Mattawan Consolidated School dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,545 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment expanded 3%: 14,360 students in SY 2020-21 versus 14,850 in SY 2024-25. The school count climbed from 43 to 44 across the same 4-year window.
On this page, the community for Van Buren County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. 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