Total enrollment
4,781
-410 (-8%) vs SY 2017-18
Rhea County
Tennessee · Public K-12
Rhea County's public-school footprint spans 8 K-12 campuses with combined enrollment of about 4,781, the largest district being Rhea County Public Schools. By grade band, the county runs 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in Rhea County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
81%
was 85%
% Hispanic
14%
was 10%
% Black
2%
was 3%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
8
2 districts
Enrollment
4,781
NCES CCD
Median income
$55,033
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
5
2,615 students
Middle
2
834 students
High
1
1,332 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Rhea County Public Schools
3,890 students · 2 districts in Rhea County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Rhea 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+
18.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.8%
civilian labor
Median age
42
21.2% under 18
Test scores in Rhea County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Frazier Elementary· 50.0%
- Spring City Elementary· 49.3%
- Rhea County High School· 47.8%
- Dayton City Elementary· 44.1%
- Rhea Central Elementary· 43.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Graysville Elementary School· 27.1%
- Spring City Middle School· 37.9%
- Rhea Middle School· 38.5%
- Rhea Central Elementary· 43.1%
- Dayton City Elementary· 44.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhea County High School | Evensville | High | 09-12 | 1,332 | · |
| Dayton City Elementary | Dayton | Elementary | PK-08 | 891 | · |
| Spring City Elementary | Spring City | Elementary | PK-05 | 613 | · |
| Rhea Central Elementary | Dayton | Elementary | PK-05 | 589 | · |
| Rhea Middle School | Evensville | Middle | 06-08 | 543 | · |
| Frazier Elementary | Dayton | Elementary | KG-05 | 304 | · |
| Spring City Middle School | Spring City | Middle | 06-08 | 291 | · |
| Graysville Elementary School | Dayton | Elementary | PK-05 | 218 | · |
Cities in Rhea County
About Rhea County
Rhea County is a sparse Tennessee county of about 33,992 residents, home to 8 public schools and roughly 4,781 students.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $55,033, about 19% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 12%. That income level is 10% lower than the Tennessee median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Rhea County comprises 5 elementary schools (2,615 students), 2 middle schools (834), and 1 high school (1,332).
Rhea County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,890 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Rhea County has fell 8% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,191 students to 4,781. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 85% to 81% over the same window.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Rhea County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Rhea County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data