Total enrollment
3,005
+163 (+6%) vs SY 2017-18
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.
7-year change in Dickinson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
88%
was 93%
% Hispanic
6%
was 4%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
9
4 districts
Enrollment
3,005
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 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment grew 6%: 2,842 students in SY 2017-18 versus 3,005 in SY 2024-25. Demographically, the White share of enrollment contracted from 93% to 88%.
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
Dickinson County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data