The majority of students in Mercer County’s school districts were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 3,449 students attending schools in Mercer County’s school districts, 82.9% were white. Hispanic or Latino students constituted the second-largest ethnic group in the county, accounting for 6.9%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Mercer County’s school districts, representing 82.7% of the student body.
Mercer County School District had the most even distribution of races among county districts, which included 81.6% white students, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino students, 6.4% multiracial students, 3% African American students, 0.8% Asian students, and 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county dropped to 0.1% compared to the previous year.
The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Mercer County.
Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.
| District | Most Prevalent | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County School District | White | 81.6% | 2,903 |
| Burgin Independent School District | White | 89.4% | 546 |
