Total enrollment
60,410
+683 (+1%) vs SY 2020-21
Richland County
South Carolina · Public K-12
Public-school families in Richland County pick from 104 schools serving the county's roughly 60,410 K-12 students, with a mix of 60 elementary, 16 middle, and 24 high.
4-year change in Richland County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
98
-1 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Richland County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 60,410 | #3 of 44 | #183 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 98 | #2 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.2:1 | #14 of 44 | #1,006 of 2,655 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 59.1% | #25 of 42 | #614 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.
Richland County school rankings
Residents
422,117
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
104
7 districts
Enrollment
60,410
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$63,784
Above South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
60
30,480 students
Middle
16
10,515 students
High
24
18,478 students
Combined / other
4
937 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Richland 02
28,841 students · 7 districts in Richland County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Richland 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+
40.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
11.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.4%
civilian labor
Median age
34
21.6% under 18
Test scores in Richland County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 73 schools ranked. South Carolina state average: 59.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Brockman Elementary· 91.1%
- Brennen Elementary· 79.5%
- Satchel Ford Elementary· 79.2%
- River Springs Elementary· 79.0%
- Rosewood Elementary· 78.8%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Alcorn Middle· 25.7%
- Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy· 28.1%
- St. Andrews Middle· 33.1%
- Jackson Creek Elementary· 34.3%
- Burton Pack Elementary· 35.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel A. Heyward Career and Technology Center | Columbia | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| The Palmetto Empowerment and Enrichment Academy | Columbia | High | 05-12 | 0 | · |
| Berea | Columbia | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Midlands Arts Conservatory | Columbia | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Richland County
About Richland County
Richland County is a high-population county of about 422,117 residents in South Carolina. Its public-school system educates approximately 60,410 students across 104 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $63,784, roughly 41% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 12% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% noticeably above the South Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Richland County covers 60 elementary schools (30,480 students), 16 middle schools (10,515), 24 high schools (18,478), and 4 combined or other schools.
Richland 02 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 28,841 students across Richland County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment held roughly steady: 59,727 students in SY 2020-21 versus 60,410 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 99 to 98 across the same 4-year window.
On allk12, the community for Richland 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