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Union County

New Mexico · Public K-12

Union County's public-school footprint spans 7 K-12 campuses with combined enrollment of about 534, the largest district being Clayton. The level mix is 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in Union County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
534
-31 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
7
+1 (+17%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
42%
was 48%
% Hispanic
54%
was 47%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
534
NCES CCD
Median income
$46,694
Below New Mexico avg
Free/reduced lunch
85.3%
Below New Mexico avg
Elementary
2
234 students
Middle
2
124 students
High
3
176 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
CLAYTON
397 students · 3 districts in Union County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Union 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
White
64%
Hispanic
40%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
26%
Native American
4%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
42%
Hispanic
54%
Black
2%
Asian
0%
Two or more
n/r
Native American
2%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
18.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.2%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.3% under 18

Test scores in Union County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. New Mexico state average: 44.1%.

Top 4 schools (ELA)
  1. DES MOINES ELEMENTARY· 83.7%
  2. CLAYTON JUNIOR HIGH· 61.1%
  3. KISER ELEMENTARY· 49.1%
  4. ALVIS ELEMENTARY· 44.2%

See all 4 schools in Union County ranked by score →

All schools (7)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
ALVIS ELEMENTARYClaytonElementaryPK-04152·
CLAYTON HIGHClaytonHigh09-12121·
DES MOINES ELEMENTARYDes MoinesElementaryPK-0682·
KISER ELEMENTARYClaytonMiddle05-0663·
CLAYTON JUNIOR HIGHClaytonMiddle07-0861·
DES MOINES HIGHDes MoinesHigh07-1250·
NORTHEASTERN NM CORRECTIONAL FACILITYClaytonHigh08-125·

Cities in Union County

Clayton5 schoolsDes Moines2 schools

About Union County

Union County is a sparse county of about 4,013 residents in New Mexico. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 534 students across 7 schools.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $46,694, about 18% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 11%. That income level is 19% lower than the New Mexico median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Union County spans 2 elementary schools (234 students), 2 middle schools (124), and 3 high schools (176).

CLAYTON dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 397 students on its own.

Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Union County has contracted 5% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 565 students to 534. Over that span, Union County opened 1 school, going from 6 to 7. The Hispanic share of public-school enrollment increased from 47% to 54%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Union County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Union County?
There are 7 public K-12 schools in Union County, New Mexico, with a combined enrollment of about 534.
How many high schools are in Union County?
Union County, New Mexico has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 176 students.
How many middle schools are in Union County?
Union County, New Mexico has 2 public middle schools, serving approximately 124 students.
How many elementary schools are in Union County?
Union County, New Mexico has 2 public elementary schools, serving approximately 234 students.
What is the largest school district in Union County?
CLAYTON is the largest school district in Union County, serving approximately 397 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
What is the population of Union County?
Union County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 4,013, with a median age of 43. About 21.3% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Union County?
Median household income in Union County is $46,694, below the New Mexico average of $57,493. About 10.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Union County?
Approximately 18.4% of adults 25 and older in Union County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Union County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 85.3% of students in Union County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the New Mexico county average of 87.4%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Union County schools?
Across Union County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 9.8 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data