Total enrollment
3,005
+30 (+1%) vs SY 2020-21
Dickinson County
Iowa · Public K-12
Dickinson County operates 9 public K-12 schools across Iowa, with a combined student body of roughly 3,005 and a county population near 17,990. That works out to 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Dickinson County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Dickinson County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 78.3% | #17 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,005 | #38 of 90 | #1,843 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #51 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.5:1 | #42 of 90 | #1,113 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 30.9% | #75 of 90 | #2,380 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 21.8% | #57 of 89 | #2,066 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.
Dickinson County school rankings
Residents
17,990
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
4 districts
Enrollment
3,005
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$75,432
Above Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
30.9%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
4
1,354 students
Middle
2
718 students
High
3
933 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Spirit Lake Comm School District
1,319 students · 4 districts in Dickinson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Dickinson 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+
31.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.0%
civilian labor
Median age
49
19.1% under 18
Test scores in Dickinson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Spirit Lake Elementary School· 84.0%
- Harris-Lake Park High School· 83.6%
- Okoboji Elementary School· 81.9%
- Spirit Lake High School· 80.4%
- Spirit Lake Middle School· 78.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Harris-Lake Park Elementary School· 53.8%
- Okoboji Middle School· 72.9%
- Okoboji High School· 75.0%
- Spirit Lake Middle School· 78.3%
- Spirit Lake High School· 80.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake Elementary School | Spirit Lake | Elementary | PK-04 | 547 | · |
| Okoboji Elementary School | Milford | Elementary | PK-04 | 491 | · |
| Spirit Lake High School | Spirit Lake | High | 09-12 | 393 | · |
| Spirit Lake Middle School | Spirit Lake | Middle | 05-08 | 379 | · |
| Okoboji High School | Milford | High | 09-12 | 366 | · |
| Okoboji Middle School | Milford | Middle | 05-08 | 339 | · |
| Harris-Lake Park High School | Lake Park | High | 06-12 | 174 | · |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School | Lake Park | Elementary | PK-05 | 167 | · |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School | Terril | Elementary | PK-05 | 149 | · |
Cities in Dickinson County
About Dickinson County
Dickinson County is a sparse county of about 17,990 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system teaches approximately 3,005 students across 9 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $75,432, roughly 31% 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 5% higher than the Iowa median.
On the school-mix side, Dickinson County comprises 4 elementary schools (1,354 students), 2 middle schools (718), and 3 high schools (933).
Spirit Lake Comm School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,319 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment remained close to its prior level: 2,975 students in SY 2020-21 versus 3,005 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Dickinson County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data