Carbondale Reporter

Marion Community Unit School District 2 had the highest enrollment among Williamson County districts, welcoming 3,616 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, 52.5% of them were boys, and 47.5% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 75.5% of the Marion Community Unit School District 2's total enrollment.

Among the five districts in Williamson County, Herrin Community Unit School District 4 ranked second in enrollment numbers with 2,320 students, while Carterville Community Unit School District 5 welcomed 2,147 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Marion Community Unit School District 2 roughly covers schools within Williamson County with its main office in Marion.

In the previous school year, Marion Community Unit School District 2 also had the highest number of students among Williamson 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.

District	City (main office)	Total Enrollment
Marion Community Unit School District 2	Marion	3,616
Herrin Community Unit School District 4	Herrin	2,320
Carterville Community Unit School District 5	Carterville	2,147
Johnston City Community Unit School District 1	Johnston City	1,059
Crab Orchard Community Unit School District 3	Marion	479