Total enrollment
967
-176 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
Decatur County
Iowa · Public K-12
6 public K-12 schools, roughly 967 students, one county, 7,759 residents. That is Decatur County, Iowa on the numbers. The level mix is 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
7-year change in Decatur County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
-1 (-14%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
90%
was 93%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
967
NCES CCD
Median income
$59,044
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
61.0%
Above Iowa avg
Elementary
3
532 students
Middle
1
63 students
High
2
372 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Central Decatur Comm School District
632 students · 2 districts in Decatur County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Decatur 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+
23.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.9%
civilian labor
Median age
36
22.2% under 18
Test scores in Decatur County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Lamoni Middle School· 79.3%
- Central Decatur MS/HS High School· 76.6%
- North Elementary School· 72.1%
- Lamoni High School· 63.5%
- Lamoni Elementary School· 52.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School | Leon | High | 07-12 | 291 | · |
| Lamoni Elementary School | Lamoni | Elementary | PK-05 | 191 | · |
| South Elementary School | Leon | Elementary | PK-02 | 173 | · |
| North Elementary School | Leon | Elementary | 03-06 | 168 | · |
| Lamoni High School | Lamoni | High | 09-12 | 81 | · |
| Lamoni Middle School | Lamoni | Middle | 06-08 | 63 | · |
Cities in Decatur County
About Decatur County
Decatur County is a sparse county of about 7,759 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system teaches approximately 967 students across 6 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $59,044, roughly 24% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 18% below the Iowa median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Decatur County comprises 3 elementary schools (532 students), 1 middle school (63), and 2 high schools (372).
Central Decatur Comm School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 632 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 967 students, contracted 15% from the 1,143 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Decatur County shed 1 school, going from 7 to 6. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 93% to 90%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Decatur County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data