U.S. Census to Reveal 2023-24 Homeschooling Landscape
The latest data from the U.S. Department of Education, due in early August, will shed light on the 2023-24 school year's homeschooling landscape. Pre-pandemic estimates placed the national homeschool population at 2.8 percent in 2019. The Household Pulse Survey, offering the most up-to-date insights, estimates that nearly 6 percent of school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2022-23 school year.
Homeschool participation varies widely across states. Alaska leads with 12.6 percent, followed by Tennessee (9 percent) and West Virginia (8.9 percent). Conversely, Rhode Island (2.9 percent), Massachusetts (3.1 percent), and New York (3.2 percent) report the lowest rates. The Household Pulse Survey's state-specific estimates sometimes differ from those of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and state education departments, with Tennessee showing the largest discrepancy of 7.6 percentage points.
Demographically, 60 percent of homeschooling families are white, 19 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 12 percent are Black, 2 percent are Asian, and 7 percent identify as two or more or other races. Challenging stereotypes, 49 percent of homeschooling families earn less than $100,000 annually, and 23 percent earn more than $100,000. Educationally, 27 percent of homeschooling parents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, with 33 percent having some college education, 29 percent a high school diploma or GED, and 11 percent less than high school.
The upcoming Department of Education data will provide a clearer picture of homeschooling trends. Despite variations in participation and family backgrounds, homeschooling continues to be a significant educational choice for many families across the nation.
