Data shows school supply costs increased 11 percent

WARREN COUNTY, Ky.- Back-to-school supplies are 11% higher, according to The Century Foundation.

“It’s very expensive. It’s definitely gone up quite a bit, “said Amy Jacobs, a parent of six, on the school supplies she recently bought for her children.

Back-to-school supplies are wringing out wallets as prices have been surging higher over the past two years.

“Over 20% price hikes for things like notebooks and scissors and lunch boxes and packing a healthier lunch will run families much more this year,” said Liz Pancotti, the vice president of Policy and Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative.

Credit Karma reports that 57% of parents are entering the back-to-school season with credit card debt and that 45% plan to take on more debt for back-to-school shopping. 

Pancotti said families are penny pinching just to make it by.

“For the vast majority of families, they are looking around right now, maybe literally in the couch cushions to find more money for back-to-school expenses. They might be telling their kids those sneakers have got to last a couple more months or they are not getting a new backpack this year,” Pancotti said.

The Century Foundation reported that out of 21 back to school supplies like paper supplies and scissors, only two of those items maintained the same price in 2025. 

Amy Jacobs said her income plus her partner’s only cover so much.

“We have two incomes. We live paycheck to paycheck. We don’t get any type of government assistance so it’s like by the time we pay the bills, our groceries in the house and try to get these school supplies on top of it, it is very expensive,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said planning in advance and being proactive is what helps her take on the supplies.

“So, I can get a little here and a little there and you know I hope that I have everything in time for them to start off with a decent school year,” Jacobs said.

While some families are facing the price out of pocket, community events are also spread throughout South Kentucky to assist parents and kids for a great back to school kick off.

“I think what’s really important is that every kid has the basics they need to succeed in the classroom,” Pancotti said.

Here is a more detailed list of the back-to-school events in south-central Kentucky.