Enrollment at Albany schools has reached a new record high.

The total count as of Wednesday was 8,977, said Wayne Goates, director of student services for the Albany district. That’s a growth of 1,700 since 1990.

Enrollment reached a high of 8,350 in 1979, when several elementary districts were merged with the high schools to become Greater Albany Public Schools.

That total dropped steadily for the next 10 years, then began rising again.

“We’ve gone up by 251 students this year. Last year we went up by 204. ... We’re up 455 kids in two years,” Goates said. “That’s an elementary school.”

In the three years prior to that, he said, the district population rose by another 450 kids, more than 900 in a five-year period. And based on birth rates, Goates doesn’t believe the influx will slow.

Five years ago, the birth rate in Linn County dropped slightly, and kindergarten enrollment this year took a corresponding dip, Goates said.

The following year, however, saw an increase of about 80 children, so populations should grow again next year, he said.

The district is asking voters to approve a bond measure that would, in part, pay for a new school building for grades 3-8. Even if that passes, however, Goates said more buildings likely will be needed soon.

The district had been averaging about 600 kindergartners each year, but the average is now about 700. Add in housing starts for Albany, Millersburg and Tangent, and Goates said he estimates the district will grow by another 1,764 students in the next 10 years.

The district tends to estimate conservatively, too, he added.

“Those who feel like we overestimate what’s going on — the truth is, the kids are coming faster than we had been projecting,” he said.

By THE NUMBERS

Oct. 1990 7,240

Oct. 2001 8,057 +817

Oct. 2006 8,977 +920

Projected

2016 10,737 +1,764