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McDowell County

West Virginia · Public K-12

McDowell County, West Virginia comes in at 11 public K-12 schools on the latest counts, totaling roughly 2,312 students, with a county median household income near $31,559. That works out to 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in McDowell County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
2,312
-784 (-25%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
9
-1 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
88%
was 89%
% Hispanic
1%
was 1%
% Black
7%
was 9%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
17,943
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
1 districts
Enrollment
2,312
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$31,559
Below West Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
7
1,146 students
Middle
1
240 students
High
3
926 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
McDowell County Schools
2,312 students · 1 district in McDowell County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of McDowell 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
88%
Hispanic
2%
Black
9%
Asian
0%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
88%
Hispanic
1%
Black
7%
Asian
0%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
6.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
29.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
8.2%
civilian labor
Median age
44
18.2% under 18

Test scores in McDowell County

Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. West Virginia state average: 39.7%.

See all 9 schools in McDowell County ranked by score →

All schools (11)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Mount View High SchoolWelchHigh06-12521·
River View High SchoolBradshawHigh09-12405·
Southside K-8WarElementaryPK-08266·
Sandy River Middle SchoolBradshawMiddle06-08240·
Bradshaw Elementary SchoolBradshawElementaryPK-05214·
Iaeger Elementary SchoolIaegerElementaryPK-05201·
Welch Elementary SchoolWelchElementaryPK-05189·
Kimball Elementary SchoolKimballElementaryPK-05164·
Fall River Elementary SchoolBig SandyElementaryPK-05112·
Coalfield Elementary SchoolWelchElementaryM-M··
McDowell Career & Technology CenterWelchHigh09-12··

Cities in McDowell County

Welch4 schoolsBradshaw3 schoolsBig Sandy1 schoolIaeger1 schoolKimball1 schoolWar1 school

About McDowell County

McDowell County is a small county of about 17,943 residents in West Virginia. Its public-school system serves approximately 2,312 students across 11 schools.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $31,559 a year, roughly 7% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 30%. That income level is 44% noticeably below the West Virginia median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, McDowell County is built around 7 elementary schools (1,146 students), 1 middle school (240), and 3 high schools (926).

McDowell County Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,312 students across McDowell County.

Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,312 students, shrank 25% from the 3,096 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, McDowell County shed 1 school, going from 10 to 9.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for McDowell County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve McDowell County?
There are 11 public K-12 schools in McDowell County, West Virginia, with a combined enrollment of about 2,312.
How many high schools are in McDowell County?
McDowell County, West Virginia has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 926 students.
How many middle schools are in McDowell County?
McDowell County, West Virginia has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 240 students.
How many elementary schools are in McDowell County?
McDowell County, West Virginia has 7 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,146 students.
What is the largest school district in McDowell County?
McDowell County Schools is the largest school district in McDowell County, serving approximately 2,312 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in McDowell County?
McDowell County has roughly 17,943 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in McDowell County?
Median household income in McDowell County is $31,559, below the West Virginia average of $56,023. About 29.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of McDowell County?
Approximately 6.8% of adults 25 and older in McDowell County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the student-teacher ratio in McDowell County schools?
Across McDowell County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 14.8 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of McDowell County?
McDowell County residents are approximately 88% White, 2% Hispanic, 9% Black, 0% Asian, 3% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.

McDowell County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data