Total enrollment
1,950
+31 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Yancey County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Combined enrollment across Yancey County's 7 public schools is roughly 2,148 students, an average of about 307 per school. Yancey County Schools runs the largest share. By level, that breaks down as 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in Yancey County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
-1 (-14%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Yancey County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 50.8% | #52 of 93 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,148 | #82 of 98 | #2,160 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #84 of 98 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.9:1 | #11 of 98 | #1,329 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 95.6% | #55 of 98 | #193 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 31.8% | #86 of 94 | #1,739 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
18,797
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
2,148
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$58,709
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
95.6%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
4
1,037 students
Middle
2
469 students
High
1
642 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Yancey County Schools
2,148 students · 1 district in Yancey County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Yancey 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+
25.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.3%
civilian labor
Median age
49
18.0% under 18
Test scores in Yancey County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Mountain Heritage High· 54.1%
- Cane River Middle· 52.8%
- Blue Ridge Elementary· 51.8%
- South Toe Elementary· 51.5%
- East Yancey Middle· 45.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Burnsville Elementary· 44.3%
- East Yancey Middle· 45.1%
- South Toe Elementary· 51.5%
- Blue Ridge Elementary· 51.8%
- Cane River Middle· 52.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Heritage High | Burnsville | High | 09-12 | 642 | · |
| Blue Ridge Elementary | Burnsville | Elementary | PK-05 | 382 | · |
| Burnsville Elementary | Burnsville | Elementary | PK-05 | 350 | · |
| East Yancey Middle | Burnsville | Middle | 06-08 | 259 | · |
| Cane River Middle | Burnsville | Middle | 06-08 | 210 | · |
| Micaville Elementary | Burnsville | Elementary | KG-05 | 198 | · |
| South Toe Elementary | Burnsville | Elementary | KG-05 | 107 | · |
Cities in Yancey County
About Yancey County
In North Carolina, Yancey County is a sparse county of about 18,797 residents. 7 public schools across the county serves about 2,148 students between them.
Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $58,709, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 7% below the North Carolina median.
In terms of grade levels, Yancey County is built around 4 elementary schools (1,037 students), 2 middle schools (469), and 1 high school (642).
Yancey County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,148 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment remained close to its prior level: 1,919 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,950 in SY 2024-25. Yancey County now counts 6 public schools, down from 7 in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Yancey County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data