Total enrollment
3,123
+1,085 (+53%) vs SY 2020-21
Barnwell County
South Carolina · Public K-12
16 public K-12 schools operate inside Barnwell County, with roughly 4,300 students enrolled, an average of 269 per school. By grade band, the county runs 5 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high schools.
4-year change in Barnwell County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
+5 (+125%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Barnwell County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,300 | #31 of 44 | #1,474 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 14 | #26 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.1:1 | #13 of 44 | #933 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 90.1% | #7 of 13 | #275 of 2,526 |
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.
Barnwell County school rankings
Residents
20,521
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
16
3 districts
Enrollment
4,300
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$46,626
Below South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
90.1%
Above South Carolina avg
Elementary
5
1,992 students
Middle
4
1,067 students
High
7
1,241 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Barnwell
3,123 students · 3 districts in Barnwell County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Barnwell 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+
13.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
20.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.0%
civilian labor
Median age
40
23.7% under 18
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnwell Primary | Barnwell | Elementary | PK-03 | 680 | · |
| Barnwell High | Barnwell | High | 09-12 | 557 | · |
| Barnwell Elementary | Barnwell | Middle | 04-06 | 425 | · |
| Macedonia Elementary-Middle | Blackville | Elementary | PK-08 | 356 | · |
| Macedonia Elementary-Middle | Blackville | Elementary | PK-08 | 349 | · |
| Guinyard-Butler Middle | Barnwell | Middle | 07-08 | 335 | · |
| Kelly Edwards Elementary | Williston | Elementary | PK-05 | 311 | · |
| Kelly Edwards Elementary | Williston | Elementary | PK-05 | 296 | · |
| Williston-Elko High | Williston | High | 09-12 | 198 | · |
| Williston-Elko High | Williston | High | 09-12 | 192 | · |
| Williston-Elko Middle | Williston | Middle | 06-08 | 158 | · |
| Blackville-Hilda High | Blackville | High | 09-12 | 154 | · |
| Williston-Elko Middle | Williston | Middle | 06-08 | 149 | · |
| Blackville-Hilda High | Blackville | High | 09-12 | 140 | · |
| Barnwell County Career Center | Blackville | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| Barnwell County Career Center | Blackville | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Barnwell County
About Barnwell County
In South Carolina, Barnwell County is a compact county of about 20,521 residents. 16 public schools across the county teaches about 4,300 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $46,626, roughly 14% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 20%. That income level is 21% lower than the South Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Barnwell County comprises 5 elementary schools (1,992 students), 4 middle schools (1,067), and 7 high schools (1,241).
Barnwell is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,123 students across Barnwell County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Barnwell County has grew 53% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,038 students to 3,123. Over that span, Barnwell County opened 5 schools, going from 4 to 9.
On this page, the community for Barnwell County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data