How does each U.S. state measure up to its student transportation statistics?
School Bus Fleet contacted all 50 states' department directors to find out. We asked each to share as much updated information as possible.
K-12 Student Transportation Statistics 2023-24
The latest state-by-state student transportation statistics for the most recent school year, sponsored by First Light Safety.
December 10, 2024
Photo: SBF/Canva
1 min to read
Here's the report!
State-by-State School Bus Statistics - 2023-24
| State | Total # Yellow Buses | Total # Contractor-Owned Buses | Total # Bus Drivers | Public K-12 Students Transported Daily | Public K-12 Students Enrolled | % of Public K-12 Students Transported | Total Annual Route Mileage | Total State Aid Paid for Student Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9,984 | 352 | 15,301 | 329,837 | 720,468 | 46% | 89,370,000 | $385,850,572 |
| Alaska | 925 | 657 | 715 | 71,844 | 128,275 | 56% | 9,688,450 | $70,743,841 |
| Arizona | 7,081 | 161 | 5,385 | Not Available | 1,115,160 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Arkansas | 5,223 | Not Available | 8,367 | 339,948 | 436,796 | 78% | 84,836,600 | Not Available |
| California | 21,736 | 9,422 | 66,000 | 1,100,000 | 5,837,690 | 19% | 202,612,287 | $1,800,000 |
| Colorado | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 279,043 | 881,464 | 32% | 46,765,451 | $71,845,006 |
| Connecticut* | 8,600 | 8,250 | Not Available | 467,000 | 512,652 | - | Not Available | Not Available |
| Delaware | 1,711 | 1,079 | 2,144 | 127,250 | 142,157 | 90% | 20,810,604 | $166,833,900 |
| District of Columbia | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 98,663 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Florida* | 17,388 | Not Available | 10,414 | 847,952 | 2,851,850 | 30% | 204,014,432 | $1,273,553,604 |
| Georgia | 20,506 | Not Available | 13,738 | 880,998 | 1,693,856 | 52% | 137,282,220 | $148,750,195 |
| Hawaii | 785 | 725 | 437 | 28,260 | 167,649 | 17% | 4,527,500 | $85,000,000 |
| Idaho | 2,985 | Not Available | Not Available | 90,000 | 315,141 | 28% | 20,970,348 | $94,400,000 |
| Illinois* | 23,065 | Not Available | 32,098 | 976,971 | 1,861,774 | 52% | 215,587,529 | $809,366,100 |
| Indiana | 15,540 | 1,971 | 14,151 | 671,270** | 1,032,724 | 65% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Iowa* | 6,000 | 900 | 9,000 | 223,345 | 478,692 | 47% | 38,501,255 | $210,557,708 |
| Kansas* | 3,495 | 1,220 | 9,176 | 196,148 | 475,233 | 41% | 33,518,081 | $3,817,084,539 |
| Kentucky | 8,977 | Not Available | 8,364 | 301,583 | 634,424 | 48% | 99,816,332 | $274,446,300 |
| Louisiana | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 1,360,046 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Maine | 3,400 | 0 | 2,850 | 138,099 | 172,624 | 80% | 30,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Maryland | 7,169 | 3,301 | 8,580 | 628,866 | 889,900 | 71% | 122,401,833 | $335,964,983 |
| Massachusetts | 9,000 | 7,850 | 10,000 | 500,000 | 914,959 | 55% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Michigan | 15,000 | Not Available | Not Available | 700,000 | 1,429,895 | 49% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Minnesota | 18,332 | 13,583 | Not Available | 682,399 | 870,506 | 78% | 160,134,264 | $373,985,043 |
| Mississippi* | 5,534 | 284 | Not Available | 368,644 | 439,787 | 84% | 38,132,316 | $225,937,857 |
| Missouri* | 11,678 | 3,950 | Not Available | 464,322 | 861,494 | 54% | 123,379,100 | 347,297,933 |
| Montana | 3,740 | 2,281 | 2,013 | 74,780 | 148,585 | 50% | 15,468,935 | $10,411,642 |
| Nebraska | 5,398 | Not Available | Not Available | 86,599 | 328,649 | 26% | 27,152,911 | Not Available |
| Nevada | 2,320 | 0 | 2,000 | 145,000 | 484,240 | 30% | 24,802,999 | $26,765,997 |
| New Hampshire* | 3,200 | Not Available | Not Available | 159,600 | 155,253 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| New Jersey* | 16,704 | 4,677 | Not Available | 677,045 | 1,343,058 | 50% | Not Available | $328,421,850 |
| New Mexico | 1,975 | Not Available | Not Available | 123,905 | 295,236 | 42% | Not Available | $126,821,800 |
| New York | 50,000** | 22,800* | Not Available | 2,300,000** | 2,418,513 | 95% | Not Available | $2,000,000,000** |
| North Carolina | 10,871 | Not Available | 11,281 | 622,640 | 1,374,664 | 45% | 154,082,167 | $675,388,863 |
| North Dakota* | 2,351 | 284 | Not Available | 43,585 | 116,598 | 38% | 22,564,317 | $27,638,204 |
| Ohio | Not Available | Not Available | 18,902 | 715,881 | 1,665,552 | 43% | 1,119,933 | $773,000,070 |
| Oklahoma | Not Available | 21 | Not Available | Not Available | 701,066 | Not Available | Not Available | $37,165,015 |
| Oregon* | 4,429 | 2,086 | Not Available | 173,740 | 552,380 | 31% | 50,351,936 | Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | 28,637 | 42,117 | 43,173 | 1,412,379 | 1,685,859 | 84% | 434,649,271 | Not Available |
| Rhode Island* | 1,691 | 1,356 | Not Available | 94,800 | 137,452 | - | Not Available | $558,024,000 |
| South Carolina | 5,740 | 100 | 5,600 | 330,000 | 751,000 | 44% | 77,000,000 | $136,000,000 |
| South Dakota* | 1,778 | 782 | Not Available | 43,876 | 137,759 | 39% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Tennessee | 8,653 | Not Available | 3,815 | 467,745 | 1,000,920 | 47% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Texas* | 45,347 | 0 | Not Available | 1,548,374 | 5,402,928 | 29% | 341,827,721 | $385,607,193 |
| Utah | 3,151 | 44 | 3,204 | 190,945 | 672,662 | 28% | 25,188,512 | $124,066,041 |
| Vermont | Not Available | Not Available | 2,364 | 63,005 | 82,901 | 76% | Not Available | $21,786 |
| Virginia | 15,124 | 168 | Not Available | 759,011 | 1,261,962 | 60% | 202,868,629 | $409,500,000 |
| Washington | 10,345 | 1,311 | 10,000 | 339,367 | 1,070,679 | 32% | 96,759,250 | $841,000,000 |
| West Virginia | 3,835 | 0 | 3,663 | 174,019 | 245,047 | 71% | 43,845,002 | $99,231,183 |
| Wisconsin | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 369,762 | 814,002 | 45% | Not Available | $24,000,000 |
| Wyoming | 1,835 | 0 | 657 | 26,747 | 90,297 | 30% | 11,861,500 | Not Available |
| TOTAL | 451,238 | 131,732 | 323,392 | 21,356,584 | 49,261,141 | - | 3,211,891,685 | $15,281,481,225 |
| AVERAGE | 10,255 | 3,992 | 11,151 | 454,395 | 965,905 | 50% | 94,467,403 | $424,485,590 |
*Latest available data.
**Estimate.
Note: Many states don’t track or provide data in all categories, so these totals and averages don’t necessarily capture an accurate nationwide picture.
Previous Reports
Get more industry information and statistics in School Bus Fleet's 2025 Fact Book, available in full Dec. 18, 2024.
More Management
School Bus Laws to Watch: Anti-Trafficking Curriculum, Passing Loopholes & Tougher Penalties
From Nebraska CDL training add-ons, tackling stop arm passing loopholes in Minnesota, and increased penalties for school bus driver DUIs and firearm incidents, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Cooperative Purchasing Explained: A Guide for School Transportation Pros
Stop bidding everything and consider a simpler way. Learn how cooperative purchasing can streamline purchases while maintaining compliance. Sourcewell breaks down the process in this episode of The Route, sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 13, 2026
2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches In-App Ride Recording and Real-Time Student Trip Tracking Tool
New software features add smartphone-based ride recording and web trip tracking to boost safety, transparency, and caregiver visibility.
Read More →
School Bus Labor Disputes and Union Organizing Continue Across North America
School bus drivers and monitors in New York joined Teamsters, while others in Alaska and Ontario face ongoing strikes over wages and contracts.
Read More →
Zonar Announces New Executive Leadership Appointments
After a recent merger and another acquisition, Zonar looks to the future with its four new executive team leads.
Read More →
Kajeet Launches Low-Cost Internet Program for Schools and Buses
In the wake of federal funding cuts to the e-rate program and on-board WiFi, Kajeet offers a new option for Internet connectivity where it matters most for students.
Read More →
The Bus Center Named a 2025 Top 4 Forest River Dealer
The Bus Center was named a Top 4 Dealer for Forest River Bus & Van for 2025, marking its second consecutive year receiving recognition from the manufacturer.
Read More →
Model1 Opens New Illinois Location, Joins Sourcewell
The dealership's new Elgin location will serve commercial fleets across the Chicago area.
Read More →
Two Midwest Districts Turn to Transfinder
Two separate school districts in Illinois and Ohio have rolled out Transfinder's Routefinder and Tripfinder solutions, respectively.
Read More →