Public school systems play a crucial role in shaping local economies, influencing everything from property values to workforce development. The economic impact of local public schools extends far beyond education, affecting businesses, government budgets, and community well-being. Below are key ways in which public schools contribute to local economic health.
- Boosting Property Values and Municipal Revenue
A strong public school system increases demand for housing in the district, driving up property values. Studies consistently show that homes in high-performing school districts command higher prices than comparable homes in weaker districts. Higher property values, in turn, generate more property tax revenue for local governments, which can be reinvested in infrastructure, public safety, and other community services.
Additionally, businesses are more likely to establish themselves in areas with well-regarded schools, knowing that educated communities attract skilled workers and stable families. This creates a positive feedback loop where better schools lead to economic growth, which then further supports school funding.
- Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness
Public schools are the primary source of skilled labor for local industries. By providing foundational education, vocational training, and college preparation, schools ensure that businesses have access to qualified employees. Areas with strong school systems tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes because educated workers are more productive and adaptable to changing job markets.
Investments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local businesses further enhance workforce readiness. Companies often consider school quality when deciding where to locate, as they need a pipeline of talent to sustain operations.
- Direct Employment and Local Spending
Public schools are among the largest employers in many communities, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff. These employees spend their salaries locally, supporting restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The multiplier effect means that every dollar spent on school payroll circulates through the economy multiple times, stimulating additional business activity.
Beyond salaries, schools also contribute to local economies through construction projects (e.g., building new facilities or renovating old ones), purchasing supplies from area vendors, and contracting services like transportation and food supply. These expenditures create jobs and generate tax revenue.
- Reducing Long-Term Public Costs
Quality education correlates with lower crime rates, reduced reliance on social welfare programs, and better public health outcomes. Students who graduate from strong school systems are less likely to require government assistance, engage in criminal activity, or face chronic unemployment. This reduces the burden on taxpayers, who would otherwise fund prisons, healthcare for the uninsured, and social services.
Early childhood education programs, in particular, have been shown to yield high long-term returns by improving graduation rates and future earnings while decreasing incarceration costs.
- Attracting and Retaining Families and Businesses
Families with children prioritize school quality when choosing where to live. Communities with reputable schools experience population growth, which sustains local businesses and services. Conversely, declining school performance can lead to outmigration, shrinking the tax base and harming economic vitality.
Similarly, corporations evaluating relocation opportunities assess school systems to ensure employees will have access to good education for their children. A weak school system can deter investment, while a strong one can attract high-paying jobs and stimulate economic diversification.
Conclusion
The local public school system is not just an educational institution but a cornerstone of economic stability and growth. By enhancing property values, developing a skilled workforce, employing residents, reducing public costs, and attracting businesses, schools create a thriving economic ecosystem. Policymakers and community leaders must recognize that investing in education yields broad economic benefits, making it one of the most impactful ways to ensure long-term prosperity.
The following report contains those school districts that are completely or partially within the county. The school districts are sorted in a left to right order based on the number of students that are estimated to live in the county, although they may actually attend a school outside the county boundary. Except where noted all figures are for the entire disctrict population and not just that portion that are in the county.
Where available, the district's name contains a link to that district's website.
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Waverly Community Unit School District 6 |
North Mac Community Unit School District 34 |
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Sangamon Valley Community Unit School District 9 |
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Pawnee Community Unit School District 11 |
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Athens Community Unit School District 213 |
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Tri-City Community Unit School District 1 |
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Community Unit School District 16 |
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Auburn Community Unit School District 10 |
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Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8 |
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Riverton Community Unit School District 14 |
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Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 |
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Rochester Community Unit School District 3A |
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Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District 5 |
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Springfield School District 186 |
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Grade Span of Agency Number of Schools Total Classroom Teachers Student/Teachers
Prekindergarten Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 PK thru 12 Students Ungraded Students Adult Education and Other Students Special Ed IEP Students Total Students
White Black Asian Hispanic Native American Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Undefined or Multiple Races
Prekindergarten Teachers Kindergarten Teachers Elementary Teachers Secondary Teachers Ungraded Class Teachers Total FTE Teachers
Elementary School Counselors Secondary School Counselors School Counselors Total Counselors
School Administrators School Administrative Support Staff Instr. Coord. and Super. to Staff Student Support Services Staff Librarians/media specialists Library/Media Support Staff School Psychologists Paraprofessionals/Instructional Aides Total School Staff
LEA Administrators LEA Administrative Support Staff Total LEA Staff
All Other Support Staff Total Other Staff
|
PK-12
35
999
13.18
628
993
986
1,017
933
942
932
890
920
935
1,198
907
856
783
12,920
0
0
249
13,169
4,572
5,812
369
461
20
7
1,629
30
48
671
250
0
999
0
0
0
0
78
0
34
97
6
0
14
249
443
25
0
59
0
0 |
PK-12
6
269
17.51
127
317
315
307
302
338
328
356
372
401
340
383
362
383
4,631
0
0
79
4,710
3,485
303
259
224
5
1
354
5
16
161
87
0
269
9
4
0
13
20
20
17
14
6
0
3
79
142
4
166
187
0
0 |
PK-12
5
130
15.91
108
146
116
133
124
133
138
144
140
156
183
175
188
163
2,047
0
0
21
2,068
1,835
41
28
49
6
1
87
5
1
82
42
0
130
2
4
0
6
9
8
7
12
1
0
3
21
54
5
71
83
0
0 |
PK-12
3
99
14.85
69
101
96
94
86
90
101
129
119
93
123
128
121
103
1,453
0
0
17
1,470
1,358
13
10
15
1
0
54
2
5
59
33
0
99
2
2
0
4
7
0
0
1
1
0
1
17
27
1
0
1
0
0 |
PK-12
3
96
13.27
98
75
79
88
91
72
82
107
80
90
98
102
77
100
1,239
0
0
35
1,274
1,062
71
4
22
3
4
73
0
0
71
25
0
96
1
2
0
3
10
6
3
4
1
0
1
35
57
2
62
67
0
0 |
PK-12
3
89
14.43
31
77
94
80
100
96
95
102
96
92
105
104
104
108
1,284
0
0
0
1,284
1,195
19
7
20
3
9
31
1
4
51
33
0
89
2
2
0
4
5
6
4
2
0
0
1
0
14
3
4
11
0
0 |
PK-12
4
79
13.91
77
69
79
70
63
72
66
79
83
77
84
81
91
89
1,080
0
0
19
1,099
985
15
0
31
1
0
48
3
4
47
25
0
79
0
0
0
0
7
7
2
4
1
0
1
19
38
1
74
77
0
0 |
PK-12
3
65
13.14
88
66
69
53
62
52
52
60
39
67
59
70
55
62
854
0
0
0
854
791
10
3
18
0
0
32
3
4
38
20
0
65
1
1
0
2
4
6
0
4
1
0
1
0
15
2
89
91
0
0 |
PK-12
3
44
13.05
68
28
40
41
23
35
43
50
42
34
40
41
44
29
558
0
0
16
574
521
4
1
12
0
0
20
2
3
25
14
0
44
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
16
21
1
0
1
0
0 |
PK-12
4
70
14.92
71
80
67
71
66
60
68
82
66
82
82
55
98
86
1,034
0
0
11
1,045
936
14
7
22
1
0
54
2
4
40
24
0
70
1
1
0
2
4
0
2
2
1
0
0
11
18
1
0
3
0
0 |
PK-12
2
55
10.62
45
41
44
40
25
37
41
31
46
53
42
43
38
37
563
0
0
21
584
538
7
2
5
0
0
11
2
3
25
25
0
55
1
1
0
2
2
2
2
3
0
0
1
21
29
0
30
32
0
0 |
PK-12
4
53
11.62
57
32
40
30
35
36
56
40
40
56
62
42
44
46
616
0
0
0
616
567
8
4
15
4
0
18
2
2
32
17
0
53
0
1
0
1
4
4
0
2
0
0
0
0
10
2
20
22
0
0 |
PK-12
4
85
14.02
98
83
80
82
73
66
66
87
71
81
83
105
103
82
1,160
0
0
32
1,192
1,071
10
2
32
1
0
44
4
4
53
24
0
85
3
1
0
4
7
6
2
2
1
0
1
32
49
1
53
56
0
0 |
PK-12
2
26
13.75
31
18
29
14
22
26
34
38
21
20
26
20
29
22
350
0
0
8
358
315
11
5
2
0
0
17
1
1
15
9
0
26
0
1
0
1
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
8
12
1
16
18
0
0 |
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
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