Total enrollment
4,539
-599 (-12%) vs SY 2020-21
Colleton County
South Carolina · Public K-12
Colleton County, South Carolina's 9 public schools span elementary through high school (6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high). Total enrollment is roughly 4,539 students.
4-year change in Colleton 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 Colleton County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,539 | #28 of 44 | #1,432 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #36 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.0:1 | #24 of 44 | #1,340 of 2,655 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 62.5% | #19 of 42 | #450 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.
Colleton County school rankings
Residents
38,783
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
1 districts
Enrollment
4,539
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$51,114
Below South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
6
2,256 students
Middle
1
931 students
High
2
1,352 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Colleton 01
4,539 students · 1 district in Colleton County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Colleton 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+
17.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
17.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
9.9%
civilian labor
Median age
42
22.7% under 18
Test scores in Colleton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. South Carolina state average: 59.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Bells Elementary· 52.3%
- Forest Hills Elementary· 48.9%
- Northside Elementary· 45.4%
- Hendersonville Elementary· 42.4%
- Cottageville Elementary· 40.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Colleton County Middle· 37.6%
- Cottageville Elementary· 40.9%
- Hendersonville Elementary· 42.4%
- Northside Elementary· 45.4%
- Forest Hills Elementary· 48.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colleton County High | Walterboro | High | 09-12 | 1,352 | · |
| Colleton County Middle | Walterboro | Middle | 06-08 | 931 | · |
| Forest Hills Elementary | Walterboro | Elementary | 01-05 | 472 | · |
| Northside Elementary | Walterboro | Elementary | 01-05 | 428 | · |
| Cottageville Elementary | Cottageville | Elementary | PK-05 | 425 | · |
| Black Street Early Childhood Center | Walterboro | Elementary | PK-KG | 358 | · |
| Hendersonville Elementary | Walterboro | Elementary | PK-05 | 324 | · |
| Bells Elementary | Ruffin | Elementary | PK-05 | 249 | · |
| Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center | Walterboro | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Colleton County
About Colleton County
Colleton County is a low-population South Carolina county of about 38,783 residents, home to 9 public schools and roughly 4,539 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $51,114 a year, roughly 17% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 17%. That income level is 13% noticeably below the South Carolina median.
In terms of grade levels, Colleton County covers 6 elementary schools (2,256 students), 1 middle school (931), and 2 high schools (1,352).
Colleton 01 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 4,539 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 12%: 5,138 students in SY 2020-21 versus 4,539 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Colleton County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. 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