Total enrollment
1,410
-275 (-16%) vs SY 2017-18
Gates County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Gates County is a North Carolina county whose public-school system spans 5 campuses and approximately 1,410 students. Median household income runs about $66,333. The level mix is 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in Gates County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
61%
was 62%
% Hispanic
4%
was 2%
% Black
26%
was 31%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
5
1 districts
Enrollment
1,410
NCES CCD
Median income
$66,333
Above North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
54.8%
Below North Carolina avg
Elementary
3
642 students
Middle
1
336 students
High
1
432 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Gates County Schools
1,410 students · 1 district in Gates County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Gates 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+
10.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.9%
civilian labor
Median age
48
19.2% under 18
Test scores in Gates County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- T S Cooper Elementary· 51.2%
- Gates County Senior High· 49.5%
- Buckland Elementary· 45.5%
- Central Middle School· 44.6%
- Gatesville Elementary· 31.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates County Senior High | Gatesville | High | 09-12 | 432 | · |
| Central Middle School | Gatesville | Middle | 06-08 | 336 | · |
| Gatesville Elementary | Gatesville | Elementary | PK-05 | 252 | · |
| Buckland Elementary | Gates | Elementary | KG-05 | 220 | · |
| T S Cooper Elementary | Sunbury | Elementary | KG-05 | 170 | · |
Cities in Gates County
About Gates County
Gates County is a rural-scale North Carolina county of about 10,376 residents, home to 5 public schools and roughly 1,410 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $66,333, about 11% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 5% meaningfully above the North Carolina median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Gates County spans 3 elementary schools (642 students), 1 middle school (336), and 1 high school (432).
The largest single district in Gates County is Gates County Schools, which alone enrolls about 1,410 students.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Gates County has declined 16% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 1,685 students to 1,410. On the demographic side, Black enrollment moved from 31% to 26% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Gates County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data