The 10 States Losing Public School Students The Fastest

Public school enrollment is shrinking across much of the United States, but nowhere faster than West Virginia. An August 2026 study by family location-tracking app iSharing found that the state lost more than 10,500 public school students between 2021 and 2024, a decline of 4.2%, the steepest in the country, according to family location-tracking app iSharing,

The trend reflects a broader demographic shift. Births have fallen in 44 of the 50 states, meaning many schools are receiving smaller incoming classes. In West Virginia, births dropped 18.3% between 2005 and 2024. New Mexico experienced an even larger 26% decline. Migration can offset some of these losses, but in many states it has not been enough to reverse the trend.

The  iSharing study compared public school enrollment across all 50 states over three years and examined changes in births and migration. It also considered federal projections for 2031 to identify where enrollment could fall further.

West Virginia ranked first, with enrollment falling from about 252,000 students in 2021 to 242,000 in 2024. Although the state recorded slightly positive net migration, declining births continue to reduce the number of school-age children. Enrollment is projected to fall to roughly 217,000 by 2031, another 13.5% decline.

Hawaii ranked second after losing more than 6,000 students, or 3.5%, in three years. Unlike West Virginia, Hawaii faces pressure from both declining births and population loss. Births are down 16.8% since 2005, while net migration was negative. By 2031, Hawaii could lose another 16% of its public school enrollment, the largest projected decline among the states highlighted in the study.

New Hampshire followed with a 3.4% decline and nearly 6,000 fewer students. Although the state continues to attract new residents, births have fallen 18.4% since 2005. With about 11 students per teacher, shrinking enrollment also means increasingly small classrooms. Enrollment is projected to decline another 7.3% by 2031.

Wyoming experienced a similar 3.4% drop, losing more than 3,000 students. Births have fallen 15.9% since 2005, though migration remains slightly positive. Unlike some other states, Wyoming's decline may soon stabilize. Enrollment is projected at about 89,300 students in 2031, close to its current level.

Maine completed the top five, losing nearly 6,000 students in three years. The state had the strongest positive migration among the leading states, yet that growth could not overcome a 17.8% decline in births. Maine also averages only about 11 students per teacher, and enrollment is expected to fall another 6.3% by 2031.

The consequences extend beyond smaller classrooms. Because public school funding is often tied to enrollment, fewer students can mean fewer resources. An iSharing spokesperson noted that declining enrollment can contribute to cuts in programs such as arts, sports, counseling and teaching support. School closures can also force remaining students to travel farther each day.

Research cited by the company found that 98 schools across 15 states closed during a single school year because of declining enrollment. For families, that can mean longer bus rides, changing districts and greater distances between children, schools and parents.

The numbers point to a challenge that is likely to outlast short-term population shifts. With birth rates falling across most states, many school systems are preparing for a future with fewer students, tighter budgets and difficult decisions about which schools and programs they can continue to support.