Total enrollment
1,249
+53 (+4%) vs SY 2020-21
Lucas County
Iowa · Public K-12
Within Lucas County, Iowa, families have 4 public-school options to consider, collectively serving 1,249 K-12 students. Chariton Comm School District is the heaviest district by enrollment. The level mix is 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in Lucas County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Lucas County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 67.6% | #67 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,249 | #82 of 90 | #2,608 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 4 | #89 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.2:1 | #68 of 90 | #1,462 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 58.4% | #5 of 90 | #1,185 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 19.7% | #67 of 89 | #2,168 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
8,716
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
4
1 districts
Enrollment
1,249
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$61,793
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.5%
Above Iowa avg
Elementary
2
593 students
Middle
1
284 students
High
1
372 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Chariton Comm School District
1,249 students · 1 district in Lucas County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Lucas 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+
15.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.2%
civilian labor
Median age
42
23.5% under 18
Test scores in Lucas County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
- Chariton Middle School· 76.0%
- Van Allen Elementary School· 71.8%
- Chariton High School· 68.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chariton High School | Chariton | High | 09-12 | 372 | · |
| Columbus Elementary School | Chariton | Elementary | KG-02 | 301 | · |
| Van Allen Elementary School | Chariton | Elementary | 03-05 | 292 | · |
| Chariton Middle School | Chariton | Middle | 06-08 | 284 | · |
Cities in Lucas County
About Lucas County
Lucas County is a small county of about 8,716 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system educates approximately 1,249 students across 4 schools.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $61,793, 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 12% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 14% lower than the Iowa median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Lucas County covers 2 elementary schools (593 students), 1 middle school (284), and 1 high school (372).
Chariton Comm School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,249 students across Lucas County.
Over the past 4-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,249 students, rose 4% from the 1,196 reported in SY 2020-21.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Lucas 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