Total enrollment
2,992
-545 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
Cherokee County
North Carolina · Public K-12
On the public-school side, Cherokee County (North Carolina) totals 13 K-12 campuses and roughly 2,992 students. Median household income is around $53,628. By level, that breaks down as 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Cherokee County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
-1 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
83%
was 86%
% Hispanic
8%
was 6%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
29,562
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
13
1 districts
Enrollment
2,992
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$53,628
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
98.2%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
5
1,364 students
Middle
3
642 students
High
5
986 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Cherokee County Schools
2,992 students · 1 district in Cherokee County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Cherokee 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+
24.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.1%
civilian labor
Median age
54
16.0% under 18
Test scores in Cherokee County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Tri-County Early College High· 90.5%
- Hiwassee Dam High· 70.0%
- Peachtree Elementary· 63.5%
- Murphy Middle· 56.5%
- Murphy High· 55.8%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Andrews Elementary· 40.4%
- Andrews High· 44.7%
- Ranger Elementary· 48.0%
- Andrews Middle· 50.0%
- Martins Creek Elementary· 50.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy Elementary | Murphy | Elementary | PK-05 | 467 | · |
| Murphy High | Murphy | High | 09-12 | 424 | · |
| Murphy Middle | Murphy | Middle | 06-08 | 353 | · |
| Andrews Elementary | Andrews | Elementary | PK-05 | 330 | · |
| Ranger Elementary | Murphy | Elementary | PK-05 | 264 | · |
| Andrews High | Andrews | High | 09-12 | 229 | · |
| Andrews Middle | Andrews | Middle | 06-08 | 167 | · |
| Peachtree Elementary | Murphy | Elementary | PK-05 | 166 | · |
| Tri-County Early College High | Murphy | High | 09-13 | 153 | · |
| Hiwassee Dam High | Murphy | High | 09-12 | 137 | · |
| Martins Creek Elementary | Murphy | Elementary | PK-05 | 137 | · |
| Hiwassee Dam Middle | Murphy | Middle | 06-08 | 122 | · |
| The Oaks Academy | Murphy | High | 06-12 | 43 | · |
Cities in Cherokee County
About Cherokee County
Cherokee County is a compact North Carolina county of about 29,562 residents, home to 13 public schools and roughly 2,992 students.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $53,628, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 15% meaningfully below the North Carolina median.
In terms of grade levels, Cherokee County consists of 5 elementary schools (1,364 students), 3 middle schools (642), and 5 high schools (986).
The largest single district in Cherokee County is Cherokee County Schools, which alone enrolls about 2,992 students.
Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Cherokee County has fell 15% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 3,537 students to 2,992. Over that span, Cherokee County lost 1 school, going from 14 to 13. The White share of public-school enrollment shrank from 86% to 83%.
On allk12, the community for Cherokee County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Cherokee County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data