Total enrollment
10,318
+790 (+8%) vs SY 2020-21
Lamar County
Mississippi · Public K-12
Lamar County is a Mississippi county whose public-school system spans 17 schools and approximately 10,318 students. Median household income runs about $70,909. By grade band, the county runs 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in Lamar County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Lamar County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Mississippi | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 67.3% | #12 of 73 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 10,318 | #11 of 73 | #799 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 15 | #14 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.3:1 | #26 of 73 | #1,037 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 55.1% | #68 of 73 | #1,347 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 57.7% | #21 of 70 | #698 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.
Lamar County school rankings
Residents
65,713
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
17
1 districts
Enrollment
10,318
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$70,909
Above Mississippi avg
Free/reduced lunch
55.1%
Below Mississippi avg
Elementary
8
4,979 students
Middle
3
2,091 students
High
5
3,248 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Lamar County School District
10,318 students · 1 district in Lamar County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Lamar 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+
34.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
38
24.3% under 18
Test scores in Lamar County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 15 schools ranked. Mississippi state average: 46.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Sumrall High School· 74.0%
- Sumrall Elementary School· 71.8%
- Longleaf Elementary· 69.6%
- Oak Grove High School· 68.5%
- Bellevue Elementary· 63.5%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Lumberton High School· 32.2%
- Lumberton Elementary School· 44.5%
- Purvis Middle School· 46.7%
- Purvis Lower Elementary· 47.3%
- Purvis Upper Elementary· 50.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Grove High School | Hattiesburg | High | 09-13 | 1,750 | · |
| Oak Grove Middle School | Hattiesburg | Middle | 06-08 | 1,160 | · |
| Bellevue Elementary | Hattiesburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 1,145 | · |
| Sumrall Elementary School | Sumrall | Elementary | PK-05 | 960 | · |
| Longleaf Elementary | Hattiesburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 787 | · |
| Oak Grove Elementary | Hattiesburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 758 | · |
| Sumrall High School | Sumrall | High | 09-13 | 616 | · |
| Purvis High School | Purvis | High | 09-13 | 614 | · |
| Sumrall Middle School | Sumrall | Middle | 06-08 | 484 | · |
| Purvis Lower Elementary | Purvis | Elementary | PK-02 | 448 | · |
| Purvis Middle School | Purvis | Middle | 06-08 | 447 | · |
| Purvis Upper Elementary | Purvis | Elementary | 03-05 | 377 | · |
| Lumberton Elementary School | Lumberton | Elementary | PK-06 | 287 | · |
| Lumberton High School | Lumberton | High | 07-12 | 268 | · |
| Baxterville School | Lumberton | Elementary | PK-08 | 217 | · |
| JEFFERSON/TODD ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM | Purvis | Combined | 05-12 | 0 | · |
| LAMAR CO VOC TECH CENTER | Purvis | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Lamar County
About Lamar County
Lamar County is an average-sized county of about 65,713 residents in Mississippi. Its public-school system hosts approximately 10,318 students across 17 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $70,909, 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 42% higher than the Mississippi median.
On the school-mix side, Lamar County consists of 8 elementary schools (4,979 students), 3 middle schools (2,091), 5 high schools (3,248), and 1 combined or other schools.
Lamar County School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 10,318 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 10,318 students, grew 8% from the 9,528 reported in SY 2020-21.
On this page, the community for Lamar County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data