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Decatur County

Tennessee · Public K-12

Of the 6 public K-12 schools in Decatur County, the largest district by enrollment is Decatur County Public Schools (1,492 students). Total county enrollment runs around 1,492. The level mix is 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Decatur County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,492
-180 (-11%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
5
+1 (+25%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 90%
% Hispanic
5%
was 5%
% Black
2%
was 3%
% Asian
2%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
1 districts
Enrollment
1,492
NCES CCD
Median income
$45,375
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
3
595 students
Middle
1
424 students
High
1
440 students
Combined / other
1
33 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Decatur County Public Schools
1,492 students · 1 district in Decatur County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Decatur 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
White
92%
Hispanic
4%
Black
3%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
89%
Hispanic
5%
Black
1%
Asian
2%
Two or more
2%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
14.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
16.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.2%
civilian labor
Median age
46
20.2% under 18

Test scores in Decatur County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.

See all 4 schools in Decatur County ranked by score →

All schools (6)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Riverside High SchoolDecaturvilleHigh09-12440·
Decatur County Middle SchoolParsonsMiddle05-08424·
Parsons ElementaryParsonsElementaryPK-04365·
Decaturville ElementaryDecaturvilleElementaryPK-05230·
Decatur County Virtual AcademyParsonsCombinedKG-1233·
Little Panthers PreschoolDecaturvilleElementaryPK-PK0·

Cities in Decatur County

Decaturville3 schoolsParsons3 schools

About Decatur County

Decatur County is a small county of about 11,579 residents in Tennessee. Its public-school system teaches approximately 1,492 students across 6 schools.

For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $45,375 a year, roughly 14% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 17%. That income level is 26% lower than the Tennessee median.

For a sense of the school types, Decatur County covers 3 elementary schools (595 students), 1 middle school (424), 1 high school (440), and 1 combined or other schools.

Decatur County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,492 students on its own.

Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment declined 11%: 1,672 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,492 in SY 2024-25. The school count climbed from 4 to 5 across the same 7-year window.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Decatur County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Decatur County?
Decatur County, Tennessee has 6 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,492 students.
How many high schools are in Decatur County?
Decatur County, Tennessee has 1 public high school, serving approximately 440 students.
How many middle schools are in Decatur County?
Decatur County, Tennessee has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 424 students.
How many elementary schools are in Decatur County?
Decatur County, Tennessee has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 595 students.
What is the largest school district in Decatur County?
Decatur County Public Schools is the largest school district in Decatur County, serving approximately 1,492 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in Decatur County?
Decatur County has roughly 11,579 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Decatur County?
Median household income in Decatur County is $45,375, below the Tennessee average of $61,364. About 16.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Decatur County?
Approximately 14.0% of adults 25 and older in Decatur County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur County?
Decatur County residents are approximately 92% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Black, 1% Asian, 3% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of housing in Decatur County is owner-occupied?
Decatur County has about 6,591 housing units, of which roughly 74.3% are owner-occupied.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data