Total enrollment
5,598
-798 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18
Hancock County
Mississippi · Public K-12
Hancock County, Mississippi reports 11 public K-12 schools to NCES, set against a county population of about 46,167, with a mix of 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high.
7-year change in Hancock County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
76%
was 80%
% Hispanic
6%
was 2%
% Black
12%
was 13%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
46,167
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
2 districts
Enrollment
5,598
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$67,708
Above Mississippi avg
Free/reduced lunch
64.8%
Below Mississippi avg
Elementary
6
2,674 students
Middle
2
1,249 students
High
3
1,675 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hancock School District
3,934 students · 2 districts in Hancock County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hancock 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+
26.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.0%
civilian labor
Median age
47
19.2% under 18
Test scores in Hancock County
Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. Mississippi state average: 46.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- East Hancock Elementary School· 72.5%
- North Bay Elementary· 66.6%
- Hancock North Central School· 64.6%
- Waveland Elementary School· 62.6%
- Hancock High School· 61.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Hancock Middle School· 48.7%
- Bay Waveland Middle School· 51.0%
- South Hancock Elementary School· 55.9%
- West Hancock Elementary· 58.9%
- Bay High School· 59.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock High School | Kiln | High | 09-13 | 1,184 | · |
| Hancock Middle School | Kiln | Middle | 06-08 | 884 | · |
| East Hancock Elementary School | Kiln | Elementary | PK-05 | 633 | · |
| Bay High School | Bay St Louis | High | 09-12 | 491 | · |
| South Hancock Elementary School | Bay St. Louis | Elementary | PK-05 | 480 | · |
| Waveland Elementary School | Waveland | Elementary | PK-02 | 460 | · |
| Hancock North Central School | Kiln | Elementary | PK-05 | 404 | · |
| Bay Waveland Middle School | Bay St. Louis | Middle | 06-08 | 365 | · |
| West Hancock Elementary | Picayune | Elementary | KG-05 | 349 | · |
| North Bay Elementary | Bay St Louis | Elementary | 03-06 | 348 | · |
| HANCOCK COUNTY CAREER TECHNICAL CEN | Kiln | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Hancock County
About Hancock County
Hancock County is a thinly populated Mississippi county of about 46,167 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 5,598 students.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $67,708 a year, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%. That income level is 35% above the Mississippi median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Hancock County comprises 6 elementary schools (2,674 students), 2 middle schools (1,249), and 3 high schools (1,675).
Hancock School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,934 students on its own.
Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 5,598 students, contracted 12% from the 6,396 reported in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 80% to 76% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Hancock County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
Hancock County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data