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Union County

Iowa · Public K-12

Union County in Iowa has 6 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 1,746 students with Creston Comm School District the largest district. The level mix is 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.

7-year change in Union County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,746
-210 (-11%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
90%
was 90%
% Hispanic
6%
was 5%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
1,746
NCES CCD
Median income
$57,772
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.6%
Above Iowa avg
Elementary
3
759 students
Middle
1
259 students
High
2
728 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Creston Comm School District
1,303 students · 2 districts in Union County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Union 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
White
93%
Hispanic
4%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
90%
Hispanic
6%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
23.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.0%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.5% under 18

Test scores in Union County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.

See all 5 schools in Union County ranked by score →

All schools (6)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Creston High SchoolCrestonHigh09-12486·
Creston Elementary SchoolCrestonElementary01-05416·
Creston Middle SchoolCrestonMiddle06-08259·
East Union Middle-High SchoolAftonHigh06-12242·
East Union ElementaryAftonElementaryPK-05201·
Creston Early Childhood CenterCrestonElementaryPK-KG142·

Cities in Union County

Creston4 schoolsAfton2 schools

About Union County

Union County is a rural-scale county of about 11,993 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system hosts approximately 1,746 students across 6 schools.

Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $57,772, about 23% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 10%. That income level is 19% below the Iowa median.

For a sense of the school types, Union County consists of 3 elementary schools (759 students), 1 middle school (259), and 2 high schools (728).

Creston Comm School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,303 students across Union County.

Five-year track record. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment shrank 11%: 1,956 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,746 in SY 2024-25.

On this page, the community for Union County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Union County?
There are 6 public K-12 schools in Union County, Iowa, with a combined enrollment of about 1,746.
How many high schools are in Union County?
Union County, Iowa has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 728 students.
How many middle schools are in Union County?
Union County, Iowa has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 259 students.
How many elementary schools are in Union County?
Union County, Iowa has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 759 students.
What is the largest school district in Union County?
Creston Comm School District is the largest school district in Union County, serving approximately 1,303 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
What is the population of Union County?
Union County, Iowa has a population of approximately 11,993, with a median age of 41. About 22.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Union County?
Median household income in Union County is $57,772, below the Iowa average of $71,592. About 9.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Union County?
Approximately 23.3% of adults 25 and older in Union County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Union County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 51.6% of students in Union County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Iowa county average of 41.8%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Union County schools?
Across Union County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 12.8 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data