Total enrollment
6,196
+511 (+9%) vs SY 2017-18
Madison County
Nebraska · Public K-12
Madison County's 23 public schools sit inside Nebraska and collectively enroll about 6,196 K-12 students across 12 elementary, 3 middle, and 7 high.
7-year change in Madison County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
+1 (+5%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
62%
was 65%
% Hispanic
30%
was 27%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
35,532
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
23
7 districts
Enrollment
6,196
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$63,128
Below Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
46.9%
Above Nebraska avg
Elementary
12
2,734 students
Middle
3
1,374 students
High
7
2,088 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
4,361 students · 7 districts in Madison County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Madison 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+
23.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.0%
civilian labor
Median age
37
25.3% under 18
Test scores in Madison County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 15 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- BATTLE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL· 77.6%
- BATTLE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 76.9%
- ELKHORN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL· 74.8%
- LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 71.5%
- BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 67.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- NORFOLK JR HIGH SCHOOL· 48.9%
- NORFOLK MIDDLE SCHOOL· 52.4%
- MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL· 53.6%
- MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 55.8%
- NEWMAN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 55.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORFOLK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Norfolk | High | 09-12 | 1,359 | · |
| NORFOLK JR HIGH SCHOOL | Norfolk | Middle | 07-08 | 631 | · |
| NORFOLK MIDDLE SCHOOL | Norfolk | Middle | 05-06 | 628 | · |
| BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 333 | · |
| LITTLE PANTHERS PRESCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-PK | 319 | · |
| BATTLE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Battle Creek | Elementary | PK-06 | 292 | · |
| BATTLE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL | Battle Creek | High | 07-12 | 292 | · |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 256 | · |
| ELKHORN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCH | Tilden | Elementary | PK-06 | 252 | · |
| MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Madison | Elementary | PK-05 | 248 | · |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 227 | · |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 220 | · |
| GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 194 | · |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Norfolk | Elementary | PK-04 | 194 | · |
| ELKHORN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | Tilden | High | 07-12 | 190 | · |
| MADISON HIGH SCHOOL | Madison | High | 09-12 | 162 | · |
| NEWMAN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Newman Grove | Elementary | PK-06 | 144 | · |
| MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL | Madison | Middle | 06-08 | 115 | · |
| NEWMAN GROVE HIGH SCHOOL | Newman Grove | High | 07-12 | 85 | · |
| MADISON PRESCHOOL | Madison | Elementary | PK-PK | 55 | · |
| ALTERNATIVES FOR SUCCESS SCH | Norfolk | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| EASTERN LEARNING CENTER | Norfolk | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
| NORTHEAST NE JUVENILE SERVICES | Madison | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Madison County
About Madison County
In Nebraska, Madison County is a small county of about 35,532 residents. 23 public schools across the county instructs about 6,196 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $63,128, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 9% below the Nebraska median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Madison County is made up of 12 elementary schools (2,734 students), 3 middle schools (1,374), 7 high schools (2,088), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Madison County is NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, which alone enrolls about 4,361 students.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Madison County has increased 9% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,685 students to 6,196. Madison County now counts 20 public schools, up from 19 in SY 2017-18. The Hispanic share of public-school enrollment increased from 27% to 30%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Madison County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
Madison County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data