Total enrollment
14,428
+914 (+7%) vs SY 2017-18
Lincoln County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Lincoln County runs 25 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 577 students. The level mix is 13 elementary, 4 middle, and 6 high schools.
7-year change in Lincoln County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
24
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
72%
was 78%
% Hispanic
14%
was 11%
% Black
7%
was 6%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
25
3 districts
Enrollment
14,428
NCES CCD
Median income
$80,016
Above North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
65.7%
Below North Carolina avg
Elementary
13
5,337 students
Middle
4
2,638 students
High
6
3,735 students
Combined / other
2
2,718 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Lincoln County Schools
11,710 students · 3 districts in Lincoln County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Lincoln 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+
28.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.3%
civilian labor
Median age
44
20.6% under 18
Test scores in Lincoln County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 20 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Rock Springs Elementary· 74.2%
- Catawba Springs Elementary· 71.6%
- East Lincoln High· 71.3%
- North Lincoln High· 69.7%
- West Lincoln High· 65.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Love Memorial Elementary· 35.5%
- GE Massey Elementary· 38.0%
- Lincolnton Middle· 39.1%
- Childers Elementary· 42.3%
- North Brook Elementary· 47.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Charter School | Denver | Combined | KG-12 | 2,316 | · |
| North Lincoln High | Lincolnton | High | 09-12 | 1,126 | · |
| East Lincoln High | Denver | High | 09-12 | 1,047 | · |
| Lincolnton High | Lincolnton | High | 09-12 | 797 | · |
| North Lincoln Middle | Denver | Middle | 06-08 | 774 | · |
| East Lincoln Middle | Iron Station | Middle | 06-08 | 738 | · |
| West Lincoln High | Lincolnton | High | 09-12 | 731 | · |
| St James Elementary | Denver | Elementary | PK-05 | 653 | · |
| Rock Springs Elementary | Denver | Elementary | PK-05 | 639 | · |
| Lincolnton Middle | Lincolnton | Middle | 06-08 | 563 | · |
| West Lincoln Middle | Lincolnton | Middle | 06-08 | 563 | · |
| Catawba Springs Elementary | Denver | Elementary | PK-05 | 543 | · |
| Battleground Elementary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-05 | 420 | · |
| Childers Elementary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-05 | 418 | · |
| West Lake Preparatory Academy | Denver | Combined | KG-09 | 402 | · |
| GE Massey Elementary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-05 | 370 | · |
| Iron Station Elementary | Iron Station | Elementary | PK-05 | 367 | · |
| North Brook Elementary | Vale | Elementary | PK-05 | 344 | · |
| Union Elementary | Vale | Elementary | PK-05 | 342 | · |
| Pumpkin Center Primary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-02 | 325 | · |
| Love Memorial Elementary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-05 | 315 | · |
| S Ray Lowder Elementary | Lincolnton | Elementary | PK-05 | 306 | · |
| Pumpkin Center Intermediate | Lincolnton | Elementary | 03-05 | 295 | · |
| Asbury Academy | Lincolnton | High | 06-12 | 34 | · |
| LCST | Lincolnton | High | UG-UG | 0 | · |
Cities in Lincoln County
About Lincoln County
Lincoln County is a middle-population county of about 92,716 residents in North Carolina. Its public-school system serves approximately 14,428 students across 25 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $80,016 a year, roughly 28% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 27% higher than the North Carolina median.
In terms of grade levels, Lincoln County is made up of 13 elementary schools (5,337 students), 4 middle schools (2,638), 6 high schools (3,735), and 2 combined or other schools.
Lincoln County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 11,710 students on its own.
Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 14,428 students, increased 7% from the 13,514 reported in SY 2017-18. Demographically, the White share of enrollment declined from 78% to 72%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Lincoln County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
Lincoln County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data