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Nicholas County

West Virginia · Public K-12

Nicholas County reports 14 public K-12 schools to NCES, against a population of 24,277, with an average school size of 230 students. That works out to 9 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in Nicholas County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
3,215
-556 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
14
+1 (+8%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
97%
was 98%
% Hispanic
1%
was 0%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
24,277
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
14
1 districts
Enrollment
3,215
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$54,639
Below West Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
9
1,470 students
Middle
2
737 students
High
3
1,008 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Nicholas County Schools
3,215 students · 1 district in Nicholas County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Nicholas 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
96%
Hispanic
1%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
97%
Hispanic
1%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
1%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
23.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.9%
civilian labor
Median age
46
21.1% under 18

Test scores in Nicholas County

Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. West Virginia state average: 39.7%.

See all 12 schools in Nicholas County ranked by score →

All schools (14)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Nicholas County High SchoolSummersvilleHigh09-12708·
Summersville Middle SchoolSummersvilleMiddle06-08509·
Summersville Elementary SchoolSummersvilleElementaryPK-05331·
Richwood High SchoolCraigsvilleHigh09-12299·
Gauley River Elementary SchoolCraigsvilleElementaryPK-05295·
Richwood Middle SchoolCraigsvilleMiddle06-08228·
Panther Creek Elementary SchoolNettieElementaryPK-05211·
Cherry River Elementary SchoolRichwoodElementaryPK-05152·
Glade Creek Elementary SchoolSummersvilleElementaryPK-05124·
Mt. Lookout Elementary SchoolMount LookoutElementaryPK-05121·
Mt. Nebo Elementary SchoolMount NeboElementaryPK-05105·
Zela Elementary SchoolSummersvilleElementaryPK-0567·
Birch River Elementary SchoolBirch RiverElementaryPK-0564·
Nicholas County Career and Technical CenterCraigsvilleHigh09-121·

Cities in Nicholas County

Summersville5 schoolsCraigsville4 schoolsBirch River1 schoolMount Lookout1 schoolMount Nebo1 schoolNettie1 schoolRichwood1 school

About Nicholas County

Nicholas County is a small county of about 24,277 residents in West Virginia. Its public-school system serves approximately 3,215 students across 14 schools.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $54,639 a year, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 8%.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Nicholas County is made up of 9 elementary schools (1,470 students), 2 middle schools (737), and 3 high schools (1,008).

Nicholas County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,215 students on its own.

Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Nicholas County has contracted 15% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 3,771 students to 3,215. Over that span, Nicholas County added 1 school, going from 13 to 14.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Nicholas County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, West Virginia has 14 public K-12 schools serving approximately 3,215 students.
How many high schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, West Virginia has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 1,008 students.
How many middle schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, West Virginia has 2 public middle schools, serving approximately 737 students.
How many elementary schools are in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, West Virginia has 9 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,470 students.
What is the largest school district in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County Schools is the largest school district in Nicholas County, serving approximately 3,215 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
What is the population of Nicholas County?
Nicholas County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 24,277, with a median age of 46. About 21.1% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Nicholas County?
Median household income in Nicholas County is $54,639, below the West Virginia average of $56,023. About 8.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Nicholas County?
Approximately 23.3% of adults 25 and older in Nicholas County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nicholas County schools?
Across Nicholas County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 14.7 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Nicholas County?
Nicholas County residents are approximately 96% White, 1% Hispanic, 1% Black, 0% Asian, 2% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Nicholas County school rankings

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