Total enrollment
3,862
-165 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Edgefield County
South Carolina · Public K-12
On the public-school side, Edgefield County (South Carolina) totals 11 K-12 schools and roughly 3,862 students. Median household income is around $73,029. The level mix is 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Edgefield County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Edgefield County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,862 | #33 of 44 | #1,577 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 10 | #31 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.3:1 | #15 of 44 | #1,030 of 2,655 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 62.8% | #16 of 42 | #425 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.
Edgefield County school rankings
Residents
27,476
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
3 districts
Enrollment
3,862
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$73,029
Above South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
5
1,708 students
Middle
2
759 students
High
4
1,395 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Edgefield 01
3,069 students · 3 districts in Edgefield County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Edgefield 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+
23.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
42
16.6% under 18
Test scores in Edgefield County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. South Carolina state average: 59.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Merriwether Middle· 71.2%
- W. E. Parker Elementary· 62.3%
- Merriwether Elementary· 62.2%
- Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle· 48.9%
- Johnston Elementary· 46.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Douglas Elementary· 43.5%
- Johnston Elementary· 46.6%
- Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle· 48.9%
- Merriwether Elementary· 62.2%
- W. E. Parker Elementary· 62.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merriwether Elementary | North Augusta | Elementary | PK-05 | 760 | · |
| Strom Thurmond High | Johnston | High | 09-12 | 720 | · |
| Fox Creek High | North Augusta | High | 09-12 | 672 | · |
| Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle | Johnston | Middle | 06-08 | 394 | · |
| Merriwether Middle | North Augusta | Middle | 06-08 | 365 | · |
| W. E. Parker Elementary | Edgefield | Elementary | PK-05 | 339 | · |
| Johnston Elementary | Johnston | Elementary | PK-05 | 276 | · |
| Douglas Elementary | Trenton | Elementary | PK-05 | 215 | · |
| Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy | Trenton | Elementary | KG-08 | 118 | · |
| Trenton High | Trenton | High | 09-12 | 3 | · |
| Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center | Johnston | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Edgefield County
About Edgefield County
Edgefield County is a compact South Carolina county of about 27,476 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 3,862 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $73,029, 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 15% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 24% higher than the South Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Edgefield County consists of 5 elementary schools (1,708 students), 2 middle schools (759), and 4 high schools (1,395).
Edgefield 01 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,069 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Edgefield County has decreased 4% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 4,027 students to 3,862.
On this page, the community for Edgefield 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