Budget & finance
District profile / Tennessee
Knox County
60,185
Students
2024-25 school year
95
Schools
2024-25 school year
$9,915
Spending per student
FY2020-21 · about the same as the Tennessee median
#3
Size rank in Tennessee
of 122 districts listed
Knox County is a public school district based in Knoxville, Tennessee, serving 60,185 students in 95 schools. By enrollment it ranks #3 of the 122 Tennessee districts with 1,000 or more students, larger than about 98% of them. Its schools average 634 students each, more than the Tennessee median of 467. It spends about $9,915 per student on day-to-day operations, about the state median. We've matched 33 news stories to the district.
How Knox County compares
Knox CountyTennessee median, districts with 1,000+ students
Spending and staffing
Where the money comes from$653.1 million in revenue · FY2020-21
Federal 12%State 38%Local 49%
| Measure | Knox County | Tennessee median | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current spending per student | $9,915 | $10,059 | FY2020-21 |
| Instruction spending per student | $5,970 | $6,268 | FY2020-21 |
| Total spending | $611.6 million | n/a | FY2020-21 |
| Total revenue | $653.1 million | n/a | FY2020-21 |
Spending: NCES school district finance survey (F-33), FY2020-21. Staffing and enrollment: NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25. Via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. The Tennessee median compares districts with 1,000 or more students.
In the news
33 stories matchedTeaching & learning
Knox County Schools honors employees who are also military veterans
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools to hold community meetings on zoning for new Farragut-area elementary school
Teaching & learning
Watch Dr. Rysewyk, Knox County Mayor honor Knox County Schools veterans
Policy & legislation
Federal judge sides with proposed Knoxville Christian school seeking charter status from Knox County school board
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools celebrates top coupon book sellers
School safety
Disruptive threats pile up at Knox County schools, but fall from national highs
Budget & finance
These schools could face closure as Knox County Schools tries to cut $4 million from budget
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools starts warning employees of layoffs in their departments
Leadership
Knox County Schools superintendent addresses possible closure of four schools
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools board meeting: Nov. 2, 2026
Infrastructure
Amber Rountree addresses Knox County school board on possible layoffs and school closures
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools considers closing schools, changing start times to cut $4 million
Leadership
Knox County school board to meet as school system grapples with possible school shutdowns, school time changes
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools considers closing multiple elementary schools, cutting $4M from district office
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools face $4M budget cut, potential school closures loom
Leadership
Knox County School Board member speaks on potential $4M cut
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools is weighing changes for next year's budget
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools weighs cutting more than 70 bus routes. Here’s why
Teaching & learning
Earlier mornings, later afternoons? 3 schedule options Knox County Schools is weighing
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools could change start times for your student to save money
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools considers changing school start times to cut bus routes
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools considering cutting more than 75 bus routes to save millions
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools considers closing these 4 schools to save money
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools making $4M cut from administrative office
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools eyes small school closures, $4M in budget cuts amid deficit
Budget & finance
Knox County Schools leaders are preparing to chop millions of dollars out of next year's budget
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools plans to cut $4M from its central office | Exclusive
Teaching & learning
Knox County Schools calendar for 2027-28 is available for early planners
Infrastructure
Knox County Schools celebrates new building for Sterchi Elementary School
Peer districts in Tennessee
Compare side by side →| District | Students | Schools | Spending per student | Students per teacher | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Nashville Public SchoolsNashville | 81,021 | 162 | $13,624 | n/a | #2 |
| Knox CountyKnoxville · this district | 60,185 | 95 | $9,915 | n/a | #3 |
| Rutherford CountyMurfreesboro | 52,127 | 55 | $9,674 | n/a | #4 |
| Hamilton CountyChattanooga | 45,981 | 82 | $11,137 | n/a | #5 |
| Williamson CountyFranklin | 41,593 | 52 | $10,483 | n/a | #6 |
Similar-size districts nationally
| District | Students | Spending per student | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volusia CountyDeland, FL | 61,724 | $9,329 | 18.1 |
| Douglas County School District No. Re 1Castle Rock, CO | 61,243 | $10,792 | 17.4 |
| Granite DistrictSalt Lake City, UT | 59,106 | $9,989 | 22.5 |
| Jordan DistrictWest Jordan, UT | 58,788 | $8,592 | 21.7 |
Peers are the districts closest in enrollment, so they can still differ in many other ways. Enrollment, school counts and phone numbers are from the NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25.
Printed from Superintendent's Corner: https://superintendentscorner.com/district-tn-knox-county