Total enrollment
146
+18 (+14%) vs SY 2017-18
Carter County
Montana · Public K-12
Carter County's school count of 6 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 146 students inside Montana, around 11% of the county population. The level mix is 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in Carter County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 99%
% Hispanic
1%
was 0%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
4 districts
Enrollment
146
NCES CCD
Median income
$54,167
Below Montana avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.5%
Above Montana avg
Elementary
4
85 students
Middle
1
25 students
High
1
36 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Ekalaka Elem
94 students · 4 districts in Carter County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Carter 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+
20.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
11.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.8%
civilian labor
Median age
57
17.7% under 18
Test scores in Carter County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 1 schools ranked. Montana state average: 47.2%.
Top 1 schools (ELA)
- Ekalaka Elementary School· 54.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekalaka Elementary School | Ekalaka | Elementary | PK-06 | 69 | · |
| Carter County High School | Ekalaka | High | 09-12 | 36 | · |
| Ekalaka 7-8 | Ekalaka | Middle | 07-08 | 25 | · |
| Alzada School | Alzada | Elementary | PK-08 | 8 | · |
| Hawks Home School | Hammond | Elementary | PK-08 | 5 | · |
| Hammond School | Hammond | Elementary | PK-08 | 3 | · |
Cities in Carter County
About Carter County
In Montana, Carter County is a small county of about 1,308 residents. 6 public schools across the county hosts about 146 students between them.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $54,167 a year, about 21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 11%. That income level is 17% below the Montana median.
On the school-mix side, Carter County consists of 4 elementary schools (85 students), 1 middle school (25), and 1 high school (36).
The largest single district in Carter County is Ekalaka Elem, which alone enrolls about 94 students.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Carter County has rose 14% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 128 students to 146. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 99% to 89%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Carter County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data