Total enrollment
2,110
-102 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
Polk County
North Carolina · Public K-12
The 7 public K-12 schools in Polk County cover all standard grade bands (4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high), with combined enrollment around 2,110.
7-year change in Polk County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
76%
was 77%
% Hispanic
13%
was 13%
% Black
6%
was 5%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
2,110
NCES CCD
Median income
$67,758
Above North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
99.0%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
4
1,008 students
Middle
1
454 students
High
2
648 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Polk County Schools
2,110 students · 1 district in Polk County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Polk 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+
36.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.1%
civilian labor
Median age
55
15.3% under 18
Test scores in Polk County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Saluda Elementary School· 79.6%
- Polk County High School· 67.4%
- Polk County Middle School· 63.2%
- Tryon Elementary School· 57.9%
- Sunny View Elementary School· 56.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Polk Central Elementary School· 53.0%
- Sunny View Elementary School· 56.9%
- Tryon Elementary School· 57.9%
- Polk County Middle School· 63.2%
- Polk County High School· 67.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County High School | Columbus | High | 09-12 | 596 | · |
| Polk County Middle School | Mill Spring | Middle | 06-08 | 454 | · |
| Polk Central Elementary School | Mill Spring | Elementary | PK-05 | 379 | · |
| Tryon Elementary School | Tryon | Elementary | PK-05 | 367 | · |
| Saluda Elementary School | Saluda | Elementary | PK-05 | 142 | · |
| Sunny View Elementary School | Mill Spring | Elementary | PK-05 | 120 | · |
| Polk County Early College | Columbus | High | 09-12 | 52 | · |
Cities in Polk County
About Polk County
Polk County is a rural-scale North Carolina county of about 19,891 residents, home to 7 public schools and roughly 2,110 students.
Zooming out, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $67,758, about 36% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 11%. That income level is 7% noticeably above the North Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Polk County spans 4 elementary schools (1,008 students), 1 middle school (454), and 2 high schools (648).
Polk County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,110 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,110 students, declined 5% from the 2,212 reported in SY 2017-18.
On allk12, the community for Polk County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data