The bulletin board for America's public schools. Parents, teachers, students, and staff. One community per school.

Essex County

Virginia · Public K-12

Essex County operates 4 public K-12 schools inside Virginia, with combined enrollment of approximately 1,092 (about 273 students per school). By grade band, the county runs 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Essex County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,092
-311 (-22%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
3
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
26%
was 33%
% Hispanic
6%
was 5%
% Black
54%
was 52%
% Asian
2%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
4
2 districts
Enrollment
1,092
NCES CCD
Median income
$56,520
Below Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
101.0%
Above Virginia avg
Elementary
2
400 students
Middle
1
299 students
High
1
393 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Essex County Public Schools
1,092 students · 2 districts in Essex County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Essex 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
55%
Hispanic
5%
Black
37%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
1%
School enrollment
White
25%
Hispanic
6%
Black
54%
Asian
2%
Two or more
12%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
16.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
47
17.9% under 18

Test scores in Essex County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.

Top 3 schools (ELA)
  1. Essex High· 86.0%
  2. James H. Cary Intermediate· 65.0%
  3. Tappahannock Elementary· 62.0%

See all 3 schools in Essex County ranked by score →

All schools (4)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Tappahannock ElementaryTappahannockElementaryPK-04400·
Essex HighTappahannockHigh09-12393·
James H. Cary IntermediateTappahannockMiddle05-08299·
Chesapeake Bay Governor's SchoolTappahannockElementaryN-N··

Cities in Essex County

Tappahannock4 schools

About Essex County

In Virginia, Essex County is a thinly populated county of about 10,623 residents. 4 public schools across the county hosts about 1,092 students between them.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $56,520, 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%. That income level is 26% meaningfully below the Virginia median.

For a sense of the school types, Essex County consists of 2 elementary schools (400 students), 1 middle school (299), and 1 high school (393).

Essex County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,092 students across Essex County.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,092 students, fell 22% from the 1,403 reported in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment decreased from 33% to 26%.

On this page, the community for Essex County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Essex County?
Essex County, Virginia has 4 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,092 students.
How many high schools are in Essex County?
Essex County, Virginia has 1 public high school, serving approximately 393 students.
How many middle schools are in Essex County?
Essex County, Virginia has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 299 students.
How many elementary schools are in Essex County?
Essex County, Virginia has 2 public elementary schools, serving approximately 400 students.
What is the largest school district in Essex County?
Essex County Public Schools is the largest school district in Essex County, serving approximately 1,092 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
How many people live in Essex County?
Essex County has roughly 10,623 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Essex County?
Median household income in Essex County is $56,520, below the Virginia average of $76,527. About 6.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Essex County?
Approximately 16.6% of adults 25 and older in Essex County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Essex County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 101.0% of students in Essex County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Virginia county average of 75.7%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Essex County schools?
Across Essex County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 12.5 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data