Total enrollment
1,845
-63 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
Custer County
Nebraska · Public K-12
Custer County, Nebraska reports 15 public K-12 schools to NCES, set against a county population of about 10,518, with a mix of 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 6 high.
7-year change in Custer County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
87%
was 91%
% Hispanic
9%
was 5%
% Black
1%
was 2%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
6 districts
Enrollment
1,845
NCES CCD
Median income
$67,906
Below Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.1%
Below Nebraska avg
Elementary
8
1,046 students
Middle
1
166 students
High
6
633 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
BROKEN BOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
892 students · 6 districts in Custer County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Custer 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+
24.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.6%
civilian labor
Median age
42
24.3% under 18
Test scores in Custer County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- ANSELMO-MERNA ELEMENTARY-MERNA· 75.0%
- NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 70.0%
- CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 57.6%
- ARNOLD HIGH SCHOOL· 56.8%
- BROKEN BOW MIDDLE SCHOOL· 53.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- ARNOLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 44.4%
- ANSLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 51.5%
- BROKEN BOW MIDDLE SCHOOL· 53.4%
- ARNOLD HIGH SCHOOL· 56.8%
- CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 57.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Broken Bow | Elementary | PK-05 | 376 | · |
| BROKEN BOW HIGH SCHOOL | Broken Bow | High | 09-12 | 234 | · |
| BROKEN BOW MIDDLE SCHOOL | Broken Bow | Middle | 06-08 | 166 | · |
| ANSELMO-MERNA ELEMENTARY-MERNA | Merna | Elementary | PK-06 | 145 | · |
| ARNOLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Arnold | Elementary | PK-06 | 121 | · |
| ANSLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Ansley | Elementary | PK-06 | 110 | · |
| ANSELMO-MERNA HIGH SCHOOL | Merna | High | 07-12 | 104 | · |
| CALLAWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Callaway | Elementary | PK-06 | 98 | · |
| SARGENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Sargent | Elementary | PK-06 | 80 | · |
| ARNOLD HIGH SCHOOL | Arnold | High | 07-12 | 79 | · |
| ANSLEY HIGH SCHOOL | Ansley | High | 07-12 | 76 | · |
| CALLAWAY HIGH SCHOOL | Callaway | High | 07-12 | 74 | · |
| NEW DISCOVERIES PRESCHOOL | Broken Bow | Elementary | PK-PK | 73 | · |
| SARGENT HIGH SCHOOL | Sargent | High | 07-12 | 66 | · |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES | Broken Bow | Elementary | PK-PK | 43 | · |
Cities in Custer County
About Custer County
In Nebraska, Custer County is a rural-scale county of about 10,518 residents. 15 public schools across the county enrolls about 1,845 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $67,906, about 24% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 4%.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Custer County spans 8 elementary schools (1,046 students), 1 middle school (166), and 6 high schools (633).
BROKEN BOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 892 students across Custer County.
Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,845 students, decreased 3% from the 1,908 reported in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 91% to 87%.
On this page, the community for Custer County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Custer County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data