White students were the largest ethnic group in Hamilton County in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Of the 993 students attending Hamilton County schools, 95.5% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 2.6% of Hamilton County students.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Hamilton County, representing 95.5% of the student body.
East Side Elementary School and Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School had the most diverse student body in Hamilton County, including Hispanic and white.
The Illinois State Board of Education’s budget for fiscal year 2026 will increase from nearly $10.8 billion to about $11.2 billion. This includes a $307 million boost for K–12 schools, marking the smallest annual increase since 2020.
The agency has paused about $50 million in funding previously allocated through the Evidence-Based Funding formula for the Property Tax Relief Grant while reviewing its impact on local tax relief. Officials say the pause could affect the timing and amount of property tax relief available to taxpayers.
| School name | Most prevalent ethnicity | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlgren Elementary School | White | 96.5% | 143 |
| East Side Elementary School | White | 93.7% | 379 |
| Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School | White | 96.6% | 471 |
Information in this story was obtained from the Illinois State Board of Education. The source data can be found here.
