Total enrollment
1,767
-259 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
Chowan County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Chowan County, North Carolina operates 4 public K-12 schools today, enrolling approximately 1,767 students (about 442 per campus). The level mix is 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in Chowan County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
42%
was 44%
% Hispanic
11%
was 7%
% Black
41%
was 45%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
4
1 districts
Enrollment
1,767
NCES CCD
Median income
$53,864
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
99.3%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
2
856 students
Middle
1
357 students
High
1
554 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Edenton-Chowan Schools
1,767 students · 1 district in Chowan County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Chowan 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+
25.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
16.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.1%
civilian labor
Median age
49
19.2% under 18
Test scores in Chowan County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
- John A Holmes High· 57.6%
- Chowan Middle· 42.4%
- D F Walker Elementary· 39.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A Holmes High | Edenton | High | 09-12 | 554 | · |
| White Oak Elementary | Edenton | Elementary | PK-02 | 488 | · |
| D F Walker Elementary | Edenton | Elementary | 03-05 | 368 | · |
| Chowan Middle | Tyner | Middle | 06-08 | 357 | · |
Cities in Chowan County
About Chowan County
Chowan County is a thinly populated county of about 13,836 residents in North Carolina. Its public-school system educates approximately 1,767 students across 4 schools.
Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $53,864, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 17% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 15% lower than the North Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Chowan County covers 2 elementary schools (856 students), 1 middle school (357), and 1 high school (554).
The largest single district in Chowan County is Edenton-Chowan Schools, which alone enrolls about 1,767 students.
Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment fell 13%: 2,026 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,767 in SY 2024-25. The Black share of public-school enrollment declined from 45% to 41%.
On this page, the community for Chowan County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data