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Van Buren County

Tennessee · Public K-12

Van Buren County in Tennessee has 2 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 756 students with Van Buren County Public Schools the largest district. The level mix is 1 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Van Buren County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
756
+17 (+2%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
2
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
98%
was 99%
% Hispanic
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
6,437
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
2
1 districts
Enrollment
756
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$54,931
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
1
372 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
384 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Van Buren County Public Schools
756 students · 1 district in Van Buren County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Van Buren 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
95%
Hispanic
2%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
98%
Hispanic
1%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
n/r
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
13.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.3%
civilian labor
Median age
47
20.2% under 18

Test scores in Van Buren County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.

Top 2 schools (ELA)
  1. Spencer Elementary· 43.4%
  2. Van Buren Co High School· 36.1%

See all 2 schools in Van Buren County ranked by score →

All schools (2)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Van Buren Co High SchoolSpencerHigh06-12384·
Spencer ElementarySpencerElementaryPK-05372·

Cities in Van Buren County

Spencer2 schools

About Van Buren County

Van Buren County is a rural-scale Tennessee county of about 6,437 residents, home to 2 public schools and roughly 756 students.

Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $54,931, roughly 14% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 15%. That income level is 10% lower than the Tennessee median.

For a sense of the school types, Van Buren County covers 1 elementary school (372 students), and 1 high school (384).

Van Buren County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 756 students on its own.

Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment held roughly steady: 739 students in SY 2017-18 versus 756 in SY 2024-25.

On this page, the community for Van Buren County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Van Buren County?
There are 2 public K-12 schools in Van Buren County, Tennessee, with a combined enrollment of about 756.
How many high schools are in Van Buren County?
Van Buren County, Tennessee has 1 public high school, serving approximately 384 students.
How many elementary schools are in Van Buren County?
Van Buren County, Tennessee has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 372 students.
What is the largest school district in Van Buren County?
Van Buren County Public Schools is the largest school district in Van Buren County, serving approximately 756 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
What is the population of Van Buren County?
Van Buren County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 6,437, with a median age of 47. About 20.2% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Van Buren County?
Median household income in Van Buren County is $54,931, below the Tennessee average of $61,364. About 15.4% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Van Buren County?
Approximately 13.7% of adults 25 and older in Van Buren County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the racial makeup of Van Buren County?
Van Buren County residents are approximately 95% White, 2% Hispanic, 0% Black, 0% Asian, 3% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of housing in Van Buren County is owner-occupied?
Van Buren County has about 2,922 housing units, of which roughly 86.4% are owner-occupied.
What are the largest public schools in Van Buren County?
By enrollment, the largest public schools in Van Buren County include Van Buren Co High School, Spencer Elementary. Enrollment figures come from the latest NCES Common Core of Data.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data