Total enrollment
1,452
+25 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Howard County
Iowa · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Howard County clocks in around 1,452 students across 6 schools (3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high).
4-year change in Howard County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
+1 (+20%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Howard County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 74.0% | #36 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,452 | #78 of 90 | #2,510 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #72 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.5:1 | #11 of 90 | #707 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 48.3% | #22 of 90 | #1,707 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 22.3% | #55 of 89 | #2,047 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
9,445
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
1,452
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$67,446
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
48.4%
Above Iowa avg
Elementary
3
618 students
Middle
1
283 students
High
2
551 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District
1,021 students · 2 districts in Howard County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Howard 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+
19.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.9%
civilian labor
Median age
39
25.8% under 18
Test scores in Howard County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- Riceville Elementary School· 81.2%
- Crestwood High School· 78.0%
- Crestwood Elementary School· 77.8%
- Riceville High School· 72.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestwood Elementary School | Cresco | Elementary | KG-04 | 349 | · |
| Crestwood High School | Cresco | High | 09-12 | 346 | · |
| Crestwood Middle School | Cresco | Middle | 05-08 | 283 | · |
| Riceville Elementary School | Riceville | Elementary | PK-05 | 226 | · |
| Riceville High School | Riceville | High | 06-12 | 205 | · |
| Cresco Early Childhood Development Center | Cresco | Elementary | PK-PK | 43 | · |
Cities in Howard County
About Howard County
Howard County is a rural-scale county of about 9,445 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system teaches approximately 1,452 students across 6 schools.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $67,446, about 20% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 7%. That income level is 6% lower than the Iowa median.
In terms of grade levels, Howard County comprises 3 elementary schools (618 students), 1 middle school (283), and 2 high schools (551).
Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,021 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,452 students, held roughly steady from the 1,427 reported in SY 2020-21. The school count climbed from 5 to 6 across the same 4-year window.
On allk12, the community for Howard County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data