Total enrollment
3,423
+176 (+5%) vs SY 2017-18
Ray County
Missouri · Public K-12
Ray County's public-school footprint spans 12 K-12 campuses with combined enrollment of about 3,423, the largest district being Richmond R-Xvi. That works out to 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
7-year change in Ray County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
+1 (+9%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
92%
was 93%
% Hispanic
2%
was 3%
% Black
1%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
12
5 districts
Enrollment
3,423
NCES CCD
Median income
$74,573
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.4%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
6
1,708 students
Middle
2
651 students
High
4
1,064 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
RICHMOND R-XVI
1,543 students · 5 districts in Ray County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ray 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+
16.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.4%
civilian labor
Median age
42
22.8% under 18
Test scores in Ray County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- RICHMOND MIDDLE· 80.8%
- ORRICK ELEM.· 66.7%
- ORRICK HIGH· 65.1%
- LAWSON MIDDLE· 60.0%
- SUNRISE ELEM.· 46.5%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- SOUTHWEST ELEM.· 25.0%
- ELKHORN ELEMENTARY· 34.7%
- SUNRISE ELEM.· 46.5%
- LAWSON MIDDLE· 60.0%
- ORRICK HIGH· 65.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHMOND HIGH | Richmond | High | 09-12 | 474 | · |
| SUNRISE ELEM. | Richmond | Elementary | 02-05 | 460 | · |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. | Lawson | Elementary | PK-04 | 439 | · |
| LAWSON HIGH | Lawson | High | 09-12 | 362 | · |
| LAWSON MIDDLE | Lawson | Middle | 05-08 | 342 | · |
| RICHMOND MIDDLE | Richmond | Middle | 06-08 | 309 | · |
| DEAR ELEM. | Richmond | Elementary | PK-01 | 300 | · |
| ELKHORN ELEMENTARY | Excelsior Springs | Elementary | KG-05 | 239 | · |
| ORRICK ELEM. | Orrick | Elementary | PK-06 | 160 | · |
| ORRICK HIGH | Orrick | High | 07-12 | 133 | · |
| HARDIN-CENTRAL ELEM. | Hardin | Elementary | PK-06 | 110 | · |
| HARDIN-CENTRAL HIGH | Hardin | High | 07-12 | 95 | · |
Cities in Ray County
About Ray County
Ray County is a small Missouri county of about 23,145 residents, home to 12 public schools and roughly 3,423 students.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $74,573 a year, about 16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 22% noticeably above the Missouri median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Ray County spans 6 elementary schools (1,708 students), 2 middle schools (651), and 4 high schools (1,064).
The largest single district in Ray County is RICHMOND R-XVI, which alone enrolls about 1,543 students.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,423 students, grew 5% from the 3,247 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Ray County opened 1 school, going from 11 to 12.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Ray County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Ray County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data