Total enrollment
6,504
-208 (-3%) vs SY 2020-21
Richmond County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Richmond County in North Carolina has 15 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 6,504 students with Richmond County Schools the largest district. That works out to 7 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Richmond County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Richmond County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 40.4% | #82 of 93 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,504 | #55 of 98 | #1,112 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 15 | #56 of 98 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 17.6:1 | #91 of 98 | #2,403 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 98.6% | #33 of 98 | #124 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 70.4% | #12 of 94 | #85 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.
Richmond County school rankings
Residents
42,344
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
15
1 districts
Enrollment
6,504
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$44,883
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
98.5%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
7
2,942 students
Middle
4
1,420 students
High
4
2,142 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Richmond County Schools
6,504 students · 1 district in Richmond County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Richmond 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+
16.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
20.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
9.8%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.5% under 18
Test scores in Richmond County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Rockingham Middle· 45.1%
- Mineral Springs Elementary· 43.4%
- L J Bell Elementary· 43.0%
- Fairview Heights Elementary· 41.5%
- Hamlet Middle· 39.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- West Rockingham Elementary· 30.1%
- Monroe Avenue Elementary· 30.5%
- Washington Street Elementary· 31.2%
- Richmond Senior High· 31.8%
- East Rockingham Elementary· 35.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Senior High | Rockingham | High | 10-12 | 1,365 | · |
| Rockingham Middle | Rockingham | Middle | 06-08 | 606 | · |
| Fairview Heights Elementary | Hamlet | Elementary | PK-05 | 480 | · |
| L J Bell Elementary | Rockingham | Elementary | PK-05 | 449 | · |
| Mineral Springs Elementary | Ellerbe | Elementary | PK-05 | 441 | · |
| East Rockingham Elementary | Rockingham | Elementary | KG-05 | 430 | · |
| Richmond 9th Grade Academy | Hamlet | High | 09-09 | 424 | · |
| Washington Street Elementary | Rockingham | Elementary | PK-05 | 417 | · |
| Monroe Avenue Elementary | Hamlet | Elementary | PK-05 | 411 | · |
| Hamlet Middle | Hamlet | Middle | 06-08 | 399 | · |
| West Rockingham Elementary | Rockingham | Elementary | PK-05 | 314 | · |
| Richmond Early College High | Hamlet | High | 09-13 | 294 | · |
| Cordova Middle | Cordova | Middle | 06-08 | 233 | · |
| Ellerbe Middle | Ellerbe | Middle | 06-08 | 182 | · |
| Ashley Chapel Educational Center | Rockingham | High | 06-12 | 59 | · |
Cities in Richmond County
About Richmond County
Richmond County is a rural-scale North Carolina county of about 42,344 residents, home to 15 public schools and roughly 6,504 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $44,883, about 16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 20%. That income level is 29% noticeably below the North Carolina median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Richmond County comprises 7 elementary schools (2,942 students), 4 middle schools (1,420), and 4 high schools (2,142).
Richmond County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 6,504 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 6,504 students, declined 3% from the 6,712 reported in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Richmond County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. 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