Total enrollment
1,472
-43 (-3%) vs SY 2020-21
Calhoun County
Iowa · Public K-12
Calhoun County's public-school footprint spans 6 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 1,472, the largest district being South Central Calhoun Comm School District. That works out to 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Calhoun County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Calhoun County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 69.0% | #63 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,472 | #76 of 90 | #2,495 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 5 | #82 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.4:1 | #7 of 90 | #654 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 41.0% | #45 of 90 | #2,050 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 14.8% | #78 of 89 | #2,348 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
9,803
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
4 districts
Enrollment
1,472
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$64,964
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
41.0%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
2
522 students
Middle
1
329 students
High
2
621 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
South Central Calhoun Comm School District
912 students · 4 districts in Calhoun County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Calhoun County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
21.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.6%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.7% under 18
Test scores in Calhoun County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School | Manson | High | 07-12 | 337 | · |
| South Central Calhoun Middle School | Rockwell City | Middle | 04-08 | 329 | · |
| South Central Calhoun Elementary School | Rockwell City | Elementary | PK-03 | 299 | · |
| South Central Calhoun High School | Lake City | High | 09-12 | 284 | · |
| Southeast Valley Elementary | Farnhamville | Elementary | PK-04 | 223 | · |
| Prairie Valley Elementary School | Farnhamville | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Calhoun County
About Calhoun County
Calhoun County is a small Iowa county of about 9,803 residents, home to 6 public schools and roughly 1,472 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $64,964 a year, roughly 22% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 9% noticeably below the Iowa median.
In terms of grade levels, Calhoun County is made up of 2 elementary schools (522 students), 1 middle school (329), 2 high schools (621), and 1 combined or other schools.
South Central Calhoun Comm School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 912 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment contracted 3%: 1,515 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,472 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Calhoun County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data