Total enrollment
1,540
-98 (-6%) vs SY 2020-21
Nowata County
Oklahoma · Public K-12
Nowata County hosts 8 public K-12 schools. Together they educate about 1,540 Oklahoma students across 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high.
4-year change in Nowata County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Nowata County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Oklahoma | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,540 | #59 of 66 | #2,460 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #61 of 66 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.4:1 | #36 of 66 | #1,900 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 68.1% | #35 of 66 | #799 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 67.9% | #24 of 66 | #189 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.
Nowata County school rankings
Residents
9,435
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
1,540
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$54,333
Below Oklahoma avg
Free/reduced lunch
68.0%
Above Oklahoma avg
Elementary
3
789 students
Middle
2
297 students
High
3
454 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
NOWATA
703 students · 3 districts in Nowata County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Nowata 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+
16.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.5%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.0% under 18
Test scores in Nowata County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 1 schools ranked. Oklahoma state average: 30.6%.
Top 1 schools (ELA)
- OKLAHOMA UNION ES· 32.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOWATA ES | Nowata | Elementary | PK-05 | 361 | · |
| OKLAHOMA UNION ES | South Coffeyville | Elementary | PK-05 | 265 | · |
| NOWATA HS | Nowata | High | 09-12 | 188 | · |
| OKLAHOMA UNION HS | South Coffeyville | High | 09-12 | 185 | · |
| SOUTH COFFEYVILLE ES | South Coffeyville | Elementary | PK-08 | 163 | · |
| NOWATA MS | Nowata | Middle | 06-08 | 154 | · |
| OKLAHOMA UNION MS | South Coffeyville | Middle | 06-08 | 143 | · |
| SOUTH COFFEYVILLE HS | South Coffeyville | High | 09-12 | 81 | · |
Cities in Nowata County
About Nowata County
In Oklahoma, Nowata County is a sparse county of about 9,435 residents. 8 public schools across the county teaches about 1,540 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $54,333, about 17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 14%. That income level is 9% meaningfully below the Oklahoma median.
For a sense of the school types, Nowata County comprises 3 elementary schools (789 students), 2 middle schools (297), and 3 high schools (454).
NOWATA dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 703 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment shrank 6%: 1,638 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,540 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Nowata County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data