Total enrollment
3,542
-272 (-7%) vs SY 2020-21
Union County
South Carolina · Public K-12
Union County in South Carolina has 7 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 3,542 students with Union 01 the largest district. The level mix is 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Union County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Union County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,542 | #35 of 44 | #1,671 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #43 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.4:1 | #30 of 44 | #1,560 of 2,655 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 60.7% | #23 of 42 | #520 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.
Residents
26,885
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
3,542
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$41,621
Below South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
4
1,912 students
Middle
1
606 students
High
2
1,024 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Union 01
3,542 students · 1 district in Union County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Union 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+
15.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
18.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.9%
civilian labor
Median age
45
20.8% under 18
Test scores in Union County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. South Carolina state average: 59.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Monarch Elementary· 53.9%
- Jonesville Elementary/Middle· 51.5%
- Sims Middle· 44.5%
- Foster Park Elementary· 42.7%
- Buffalo Elementary· 39.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County High | Union | High | 09-12 | 1,024 | · |
| Sims Middle | Union | Middle | 06-08 | 606 | · |
| Jonesville Elementary/Middle | Jonesville | Elementary | PK-08 | 557 | · |
| Buffalo Elementary | Buffalo | Elementary | PK-05 | 483 | · |
| Monarch Elementary | Union | Elementary | PK-05 | 442 | · |
| Foster Park Elementary | Union | Elementary | PK-05 | 430 | · |
| Union County Career and Technology Center | Union | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Union County
About Union County
In South Carolina, Union County is a rural-scale county of about 26,885 residents. 7 public schools across the county educates about 3,542 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $41,621, roughly 15% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 19%. That income level is 29% below the South Carolina median.
For a sense of the school types, Union County covers 4 elementary schools (1,912 students), 1 middle school (606), and 2 high schools (1,024).
Union 01 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,542 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment contracted 7%: 3,814 students in SY 2020-21 versus 3,542 in SY 2024-25.
On this page, the community for Union 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