Total enrollment
1,437
-502 (-26%) vs SY 2017-18
Clay County
West Virginia · Public K-12
Across Clay County, 6 public K-12 schools educate around 1,558 students, roughly 1 in 5 residents. The level mix runs 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high.
7-year change in Clay County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
-2 (-33%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
98%
was 99%
% Hispanic
1%
was 0%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
1,558
NCES CCD
Median income
$42,318
Below West Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
4
736 students
Middle
1
302 students
High
1
520 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Clay County Schools
1,437 students · 2 districts in Clay County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Clay 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+
11.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
20.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
11.9%
civilian labor
Median age
45
21.8% under 18
Test scores in Clay County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. West Virginia state average: 39.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- H E White Elementary School· 44.5%
- Big Otter Elementary School· 37.0%
- Clay County High School· 37.0%
- Clay Elementary School· 37.0%
- Clay Middle School· 36.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Lizemore Elementary School· 34.5%
- Clay Middle School· 36.0%
- Big Otter Elementary School· 37.0%
- Clay County High School· 37.0%
- Clay Elementary School· 37.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County High School | Clay | High | 09-12 | 520 | · |
| Clay Elementary School | Clay | Elementary | PK-05 | 431 | · |
| Clay Middle School | Clay | Middle | 06-08 | 302 | · |
| Big Otter Elementary School | Duck | Elementary | PK-05 | 184 | · |
| Lizemore Elementary School | Lizemore | Elementary | PK-05 | 88 | · |
| H E White Elementary School | Bomont | Elementary | PK-05 | 33 | · |
Cities in Clay County
About Clay County
Clay County is a low-population West Virginia county of about 7,835 residents, home to 6 public schools and roughly 1,558 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $42,318, about 11% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 20%. That income level is 24% below the West Virginia median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Clay County consists of 4 elementary schools (736 students), 1 middle school (302), and 1 high school (520).
Clay County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,437 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,437 students, shrank 26% from the 1,939 reported in SY 2017-18. Clay County now counts 4 public schools, down from 6 in SY 2017-18.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Clay County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data