Lincoln County Schools

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.

Lincolnton, North Carolina - 22 schools

An equity score of 39/100 ranks Lincoln County Schools #166 of 293 districts in North Carolina (state average 45). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $10,582 per pupil, Lincoln County Schools ranks #217 of 322 North Carolina districts by per-pupil spending (North Carolina districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

11,629
Total Enrollment
22
Schools
$10,582
Per-Pupil Spending
Combined, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Lincoln County Schools operates 22 public schools serving 11,629 students, placing it in the mid-size range in North Carolina. The school portfolio breaks down into 13 combined, 4 high, 4 middle, 1 elementary schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Lincoln County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $10,582 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, in the lower half of 322 North Carolina districts by per-pupil spending. See how North Carolina compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 22.4% local, 58.7% state, and 18.8% federal, a state-revenue-heavy mix that insulates the district somewhat from local property-tax volatility, though it ties funding to state budget cycles. The district's equity score is 39/100, ranked #166 of 293 in North Carolina against a state average of 45, in line with the typical spread seen across the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

Academic infrastructure includes 4 of 22 schools offering Advanced Placement (65 AP courses district-wide), a 323:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 17.4% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 71.2% White, 13.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% African American across the district's schools. Its most demographically mixed campus is Lincolnton Middle, with a diversity index of 68.5/100.

Its largest campus is North Lincoln High, enrolling 1,126 students (10% of the district's total enrollment). Its smallest is Asbury Academy, at 34 students, a 33x enrollment spread across the district's campuses.

Lincoln County Schools school enrollment varies 33× across entities

Lincoln County Schools school enrollment ranges from 34 students (lowest) to 1,126 students (highest), a spread of 1,092 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme enrollment heterogeneity, the district operates both small specialty programs and large comprehensive campuses inside a single budgeting unit. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Lincoln County Schools student-counselor ratio is 323:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Lincoln County Schools is typically wider than the Lincoln County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Lincoln County Schools chronic absenteeism rate is 17.4% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Lincoln County Schools is typically wider than the Lincoln County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

18.8%
Federal
58.7%
State
22.4%
Local

Funding Equity

39
Equity Score
166 / 293
State Rank
45
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 22 schools in Lincoln County Schools.

White 71.2%
Hispanic or Latino 13.9%
African American 6.8%
Asian 1.2%
Multiracial 6.7%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Student-body diversity

Average diversity index 43.2/100

Average Simpson diversity index across Lincoln County Schools's schools, below the North Carolina average of 56.1.

Most mixed schools

  1. 1 Lincolnton Middle 68.5
  2. 2 Lincolnton High 68.3
  3. 3 Battleground Elementary 68.1
  4. 4 Ge Massey Elementary 66.6
  5. 5 S Ray Lowder Elementary 66.4

Programs & Resources

4 / 22
Schools with AP
65 AP courses total
323:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
17.4%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Lincoln County Schools

School Enrollment
North Lincoln High
1,126
East Lincoln High
1,047
Lincolnton High
797
North Lincoln Middle
774
East Lincoln Middle
738
West Lincoln High
731
St James Elementary
653
Rock Springs Elementary
639
Lincolnton Middle
563
West Lincoln Middle
563
Catawba Springs Elementary
543
Battleground Elementary
420
Childers Elementary
418
Ge Massey Elementary
370
Iron Station Elementary
367
North Brook Elementary
344
Union Elementary
342
Pumpkin Center Primary
325
Love Memorial Elementary
315
S Ray Lowder Elementary
306
Pumpkin Center Intermediate
295
Asbury Academy
34

How Lincoln County Schools Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The North Carolina districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Similar size Higher spending More locally funded
Burke County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Rockingham County Schools Similar size Higher spending Similar funding mix
Pender County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Caldwell County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix

Comparisons are relative to Lincoln County Schools's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in North Carolina

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Wake County Schools
159,778 students · 197 schools · $11,859/pupil
Compare vs Lincoln County Schools →
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
144,197 students · 180 schools · $11,853/pupil
Compare vs Lincoln County Schools →
Guilford County Schools
68,894 students · 126 schools · $13,036/pupil
Compare vs Lincoln County Schools →
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
52,717 students · 81 schools · $13,036/pupil
Compare vs Lincoln County Schools →
Cumberland County Schools
49,661 students · 86 schools · $12,412/pupil
Compare vs Lincoln County Schools →

Compare Lincoln County Schools

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Wake County Schools →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Lincoln County Schools?

Lincoln County Schools has 22 schools, including 4 high, 4 middle, 13 combined, 1 elementary. Total enrollment is 11,629 students.

How much does Lincoln County Schools spend per student?

Lincoln County Schools spends $10,582 per student. The district has an equity score of 39/100, ranking #166 in North Carolina.

What is the demographic composition of Lincoln County Schools?

Lincoln County Schools students are 71.2% White, 13.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% African American, 1.2% Asian, averaged across 22 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Lincoln County Schools?

Lincoln County Schools has an equity score of 39/100, ranking #166 out of 293 districts in North Carolina.