Total enrollment
2,246
+78 (+4%) vs SY 2020-21
Northampton County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Northampton County, North Carolina operates 6 public K-12 schools today, enrolling approximately 2,246 students (about 374 per school). The level mix is 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Northampton County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
+1 (+20%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Northampton County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,246 | #81 of 98 | #2,101 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #88 of 98 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.1:1 | #15 of 98 | #1,424 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 98.7% | #29 of 98 | #119 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 33.3% | #85 of 94 | #1,697 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
16,931
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
2,246
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$50,086
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
98.7%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
2
567 students
Middle
1
259 students
High
2
277 students
Combined / other
1
1,143 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory
1,143 students · 2 districts in Northampton County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Northampton 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+
17.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
8.1%
civilian labor
Median age
52
17.7% under 18
Test scores in Northampton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- Conway Middle· 40.6%
- Gaston STEM Leadership Academy· 34.8%
- Central Elementary· 32.2%
- Northampton County High School· 14.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIPP Gaston College Preparatory | Gaston | Combined | KG-12 | 1,143 | · |
| Gaston STEM Leadership Academy | Gaston | Elementary | PK-08 | 284 | · |
| Central Elementary | Jackson | Elementary | PK-03 | 283 | · |
| Northampton County High School | Gaston | High | 09-12 | 265 | · |
| Conway Middle | Conway | Middle | 04-08 | 259 | · |
| Northampton Virtual Academy | Jackson | High | 06-12 | 12 | · |
Cities in Northampton County
About Northampton County
Northampton County is a thinly populated county of about 16,931 residents in North Carolina. Its public-school system educates approximately 2,246 students across 6 schools.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $50,086 a year, roughly 18% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 16% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 21% below the North Carolina median.
For a sense of the school types, Northampton County covers 2 elementary schools (567 students), 1 middle school (259), 2 high schools (277), and 1 combined or other schools.
KIPP Gaston College Preparatory is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,143 students across Northampton County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment climbed 4%: 2,168 students in SY 2020-21 versus 2,246 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Northampton County opened 1 school, going from 5 to 6.
On allk12, the community for Northampton 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