Total enrollment
6,006
-1,006 (-14%) vs SY 2017-18
Columbia County
New York · Public K-12
Columbia County is a New York county whose public-school system spans 17 campuses and approximately 6,006 students. Median household income runs about $81,528. The level mix is 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
7-year change in Columbia County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
16
-5 (-24%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
70%
was 75%
% Hispanic
14%
was 10%
% Black
6%
was 7%
% Asian
3%
was 4%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
17
7 districts
Enrollment
6,006
NCES CCD
Median income
$81,528
Above New York avg
Free/reduced lunch
48.0%
Below New York avg
Elementary
7
2,552 students
Middle
3
1,213 students
High
6
1,748 students
Combined / other
1
493 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
1,679 students · 7 districts in Columbia County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Columbia 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+
39.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
50
15.9% under 18
Test scores in Columbia County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 14 schools ranked. New York state average: 58.3%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTGOMERY C SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Hudson | Elementary | PK-05 | 689 | · |
| ICHABOD CRANE MIDDLE SCHOOL | Valatie | Middle | 04-08 | 647 | · |
| ICHABOD CRANE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Valatie | High | 09-12 | 557 | · |
| TACONIC HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Craryville | Elementary | PK-06 | 503 | · |
| HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL | Hudson | Combined | 01-12 | 493 | · |
| ICHABOD CRANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Valatie | Elementary | KG-03 | 475 | · |
| TACONIC HILLSJUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Craryville | High | 07-12 | 471 | · |
| MARY E DARDESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Chatham | Elementary | PK-05 | 365 | · |
| HUDSON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Hudson | Middle | 06-08 | 340 | · |
| CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL | Chatham | High | 09-12 | 316 | · |
| GERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Germantown | Elementary | PK-06 | 282 | · |
| WALTER B HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | New Lebanon | Elementary | PK-06 | 238 | · |
| CHATHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL | Chatham | Middle | 06-08 | 226 | · |
| NEW LEBANON JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | New Lebanon | High | 07-12 | 173 | · |
| GERMANTOWN JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Germantown | High | 07-12 | 170 | · |
| BROOKWOOD SECURE CENTER FOR YOUTH | Claverack | High | 09-12 | 61 | · |
| BROOKWOOD SECURE CENTER FOR GIRLS | Claverack | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Columbia County
About Columbia County
In New York, Columbia County is a medium-population county of about 61,100 residents. 17 public schools across the county hosts about 6,006 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $81,528, about 39% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 9%. That income level is 5% above the New York median.
On the school-mix side, Columbia County consists of 7 elementary schools (2,552 students), 3 middle schools (1,213), 6 high schools (1,748), and 1 combined or other schools.
KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,679 students across Columbia County.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Columbia County has declined 14% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 7,012 students to 6,006. The school count fell from 21 to 16 across the same 7-year window. Demographically, the White share of enrollment contracted from 75% to 70%.
On this page, the community for Columbia County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Columbia County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data