The majority of students in Laurel County’s school districts were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 9,961 students attending schools in Laurel County’s school districts, 92.8% were white. Hispanic or Latino students constituted the second-largest ethnic group in the county, accounting for 3.2%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Laurel County’s school districts, representing 93.8% of the student body.
Laurel County School District had the most diverse student body in the county, which included Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, multiracial, and white.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county increased by 0.2% compared to the previous year.
The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Laurel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel County School District | White | 92.7% | 9,416 |
| East Bernstadt Independent School District | White | 94.9% | 545 |



