Total enrollment
10,506
+2,221 (+27%) vs SY 2020-21
Ionia County
Michigan · Public K-12
Ionia County, Michigan comes in at 30 public K-12 schools on the latest counts, totaling roughly 10,506 students, with a county median household income near $75,611. By level, that breaks down as 15 elementary, 3 middle, and 10 high schools.
4-year change in Ionia County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
28
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Ionia County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 10,506 | #27 of 73 | #784 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 28 | #27 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 21.0:1 | #73 of 73 | #2,602 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 51.7% | #46 of 73 | #1,528 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 31.1% | #31 of 73 | #1,762 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.
Ionia County school rankings
Residents
66,574
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
30
12 districts
Enrollment
10,506
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$75,611
Above Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.7%
Below Michigan avg
Elementary
15
4,020 students
Middle
3
1,410 students
High
10
4,969 students
Combined / other
2
107 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Ionia Public Schools
2,659 students · 12 districts in Ionia County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ionia 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+
18.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
39
20.9% under 18
Test scores in Ionia County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 14 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- PewamoWestphalia Elementary School· 55.9%
- AA Rather School· 50.0%
- Emerson School· 46.9%
- Lakewood Elementary School· 44.1%
- Saranac Elementary School· 42.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Woodview Elementary School· 31.2%
- Ionia Middle School· 32.1%
- Saranac JrSr High School· 34.2%
- Westwood Elementary School· 34.9%
- Twin Rivers Elementary School· 35.3%
Cities in Ionia County
About Ionia County
Across the middle-population Michigan county of Ionia County of about 66,574 residents, the public-school footprint covers 30 schools and about 10,506 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $75,611, about 19% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 14% higher than the Michigan median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Ionia County spans 15 elementary schools (4,020 students), 3 middle schools (1,410), 10 high schools (4,969), and 2 combined or other schools.
Ionia Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,659 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Ionia County has rose 27% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 8,285 students to 10,506.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Ionia County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. 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