Total enrollment
2,543
+144 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Otoe County
Nebraska · Public K-12
Combined enrollment across Otoe County's 10 public schools is roughly 2,543 students, an average of about 254 per school. Nebraska City Public Schools runs the largest share. The level mix is 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Otoe County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
+1 (+13%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Otoe County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Nebraska | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,543 | #21 of 47 | #1,994 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #26 of 47 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.6:1 | #32 of 47 | #1,172 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 40.0% | #20 of 47 | #2,093 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 31.1% | #22 of 44 | #1,760 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.
Otoe County school rankings
Residents
16,241
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
4 districts
Enrollment
2,543
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$82,188
Above Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
40.0%
Above Nebraska avg
Elementary
3
977 students
Middle
3
715 students
High
3
851 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
NEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1,413 students · 4 districts in Otoe County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Otoe 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+
27.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.7%
civilian labor
Median age
42
24.0% under 18
Test scores in Otoe County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- MIDDLE SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE· 70.0%
- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE· 66.9%
- PALMYRA MIDDLE SCHOOL· 63.4%
- JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA· 54.8%
- NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL· 40.5%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- HAYWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 40.2%
- NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL· 40.5%
- JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA· 54.8%
- PALMYRA MIDDLE SCHOOL· 63.4%
- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE· 66.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEBRASKA CITY HIGH SCHOOL | Nebraska City | High | 09-12 | 442 | · |
| NEBRASKA CITY NORTHSIDE ELEM | Nebraska City | Elementary | PK-02 | 370 | · |
| HAYWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Nebraska City | Elementary | 03-05 | 330 | · |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE | Syracuse | Middle | 04-08 | 286 | · |
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE | Syracuse | Elementary | PK-03 | 277 | · |
| NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL | Nebraska City | Middle | 06-08 | 271 | · |
| HIGH SCHOOL AT SYRACUSE | Syracuse | High | 09-12 | 228 | · |
| JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL AT PALMYRA | Palmyra | High | 09-12 | 181 | · |
| PALMYRA MIDDLE SCHOOL | Palmyra | Middle | 06-08 | 158 | · |
| NE CENTER FOR EDUC OF BLIND | Nebraska City | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Otoe County
About Otoe County
In Nebraska, Otoe County is a low-population county of about 16,241 residents. 10 public schools across the county serves about 2,543 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $82,188, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 9%. That income level is 19% noticeably above the Nebraska median.
In terms of grade levels, Otoe County is built around 3 elementary schools (977 students), 3 middle schools (715), 3 high schools (851), and 1 combined or other schools.
NEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,413 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,543 students, grew 6% from the 2,399 reported in SY 2020-21. Over that span, Otoe County added 1 school, going from 8 to 9.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Otoe County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data