Total enrollment
1,322
-25 (-2%) vs SY 2017-18
Clay County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Clay County hosts 4 public K-12 schools. Together they educate about 1,322 North Carolina students across 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high.
7-year change in Clay County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
+1 (+33%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
84%
was 88%
% Hispanic
11%
was 8%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
4
1 districts
Enrollment
1,322
NCES CCD
Median income
$56,971
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
99.1%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
2
655 students
Middle
1
301 students
High
1
366 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Clay County Schools
1,322 students · 1 district in Clay County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Clay 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+
31.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.6%
civilian labor
Median age
55
16.1% under 18
Test scores in Clay County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
- Hayesville High· 62.2%
- Hayesville Middle· 60.1%
- Hayesville Elementary· 58.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayesville Primary School | Hayesville | Elementary | PK-02 | 375 | · |
| Hayesville High | Hayesville | High | 09-12 | 366 | · |
| Hayesville Middle | Hayesville | Middle | 06-08 | 301 | · |
| Hayesville Elementary | Hayesville | Elementary | 03-05 | 280 | · |
Cities in Clay County
About Clay County
In North Carolina, Clay County is a small county of about 11,610 residents. 4 public schools across the county serves about 1,322 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $56,971, about 32% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 10% noticeably below the North Carolina median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Clay County spans 2 elementary schools (655 students), 1 middle school (301), and 1 high school (366).
Clay County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,322 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,322 students, held roughly steady from the 1,347 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Clay County opened 1 school, going from 3 to 4. Demographically, the White share of enrollment fell from 88% to 84%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Clay County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data