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Deaf Smith County

Texas · Public K-12

Of the public K-12 schools operating across Texas, 9 sit inside Deaf Smith County, collectively enrolling roughly 4,110 students (6 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high).

4-year change in Deaf Smith County

SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
4,110
+100 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages

How Deaf Smith County ranks

Among counties
MeasureThis countyIn TexasIn the US
State test proficiency
ranked highest first
38.7%#163 of 192N/A
Enrollment
ranked largest first
4,110#107 of 196#1,512 of 2,745
Number of schools
ranked most first
9#133 of 196N/A
Students per teacher
ranked fewest first
15.3:1#167 of 196#1,851 of 2,655
Free or reduced-price lunch share
ranked highest first
79.5%#18 of 196#502 of 2,526
Diversity index
ranked most diverse first
15.6%#177 of 192#2,320 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.

Deaf Smith County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
Residents
18,460
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
2 districts
Enrollment
4,110
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$60,799
Below Texas avg
Free/reduced lunch
79.5%
Above Texas avg
Elementary
6
2,072 students
Middle
2
856 students
High
1
1,182 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
HEREFORD ISD
3,964 students · 2 districts in Deaf Smith County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Deaf Smith 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
41%
Hispanic
76%
Black
3%
Asian
0%
Two or more
39%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
7%
Hispanic
92%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
n/r
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
11.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.5%
civilian labor
Median age
31
31.4% under 18

Test scores in Deaf Smith County

Latest 2025-26 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Texas state average: 55.6%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)
  1. AIKMAN EL· 69.0%
  2. WALCOTT EL· 59.0%
  3. HEREFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMY· 49.0%
  4. BLUEBONNET EL· 46.0%
  5. HEREFORD H S· 42.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
  1. NORTHWEST EL· 28.0%
  2. HEREFORD J H· 33.0%
  3. WEST CENTRAL EL· 40.0%
  4. HEREFORD H S· 42.0%
  5. BLUEBONNET EL· 46.0%

See all 8 schools in Deaf Smith County ranked by score →

All schools (9)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
HEREFORD H SHerefordHigh09-121,182·
HEREFORD J HHerefordMiddle06-07534·
NORTHWEST ELHerefordElementaryKG-05479·
AIKMAN ELHerefordElementaryKG-05464·
BLUEBONNET ELHerefordElementaryKG-05366·
WEST CENTRAL ELHerefordElementaryKG-05331·
HEREFORD PREPARATORY ACADEMYHerefordMiddle08-08322·
TIERRA BLANCA EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERHerefordElementaryPK-PK286·
WALCOTT ELHerefordElementaryPK-06146·

Cities in Deaf Smith County

Hereford9 schools

About Deaf Smith County

Deaf Smith County is a thinly populated county of about 18,460 residents in Texas. Its public-school system teaches approximately 4,110 students across 9 schools.

Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $60,799, roughly 11% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 14%. That income level is 9% noticeably below the Texas median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Deaf Smith County comprises 6 elementary schools (2,072 students), 2 middle schools (856), and 1 high school (1,182).

The largest single district in Deaf Smith County is HEREFORD ISD, which alone enrolls about 3,964 students.

Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Deaf Smith County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 4,010 students to 4,110.

On this page, the community for Deaf Smith 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 public schools are in Deaf Smith County?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has 9 public K-12 schools serving approximately 4,110 students.
How many high schools are in Deaf Smith County?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has 1 public high school, serving approximately 1,182 students.
How many middle schools are in Deaf Smith County?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has 2 public middle schools, serving approximately 856 students.
How many elementary schools are in Deaf Smith County?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has 6 public elementary schools, serving approximately 2,072 students.
What is the largest school district in Deaf Smith County?
HEREFORD ISD is the largest school district in Deaf Smith County, serving approximately 3,964 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Deaf Smith County?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has a population of approximately 18,460, with a median age of 31. About 31.4% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Deaf Smith County?
Median household income in Deaf Smith County is $60,799, below the Texas average of $66,482. About 14.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Deaf Smith County?
Approximately 11.4% of adults 25 and older in Deaf Smith County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Deaf Smith County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 79.5% of students in Deaf Smith County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Texas county average of 61.1%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Deaf Smith County schools?
Across Deaf Smith County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 15.6 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data