Jackson County Districts: Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 welcomed most students in 2023-24 school year

Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 had the highest enrollment among Jackson County districts, welcoming 1,848 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 51.8% of them were boys, and 48.2% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 66.3% of the Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186’s total enrollment.

Among the eight districts in Jackson County, Carbondale Elementary School District 95 ranked second in enrollment numbers with 1,562 students, while Carbondale Community High School District 165 welcomed 947 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 roughly covers schools within Jackson County with its main office in Murphysboro.

In the previous school year, Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 also had the highest number of students among Jackson County districts.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above 2024.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.