Total enrollment
1,353
-81 (-6%) vs SY 2017-18
Jackson County
Minnesota · Public K-12
Jackson County's public-school footprint spans 7 K-12 campuses with combined enrollment of about 1,353, the largest district being Jackson County Central School Dist.. By grade band, the county runs 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
7-year change in Jackson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
82%
was 87%
% Hispanic
9%
was 6%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,353
NCES CCD
Median income
$75,743
Below Minnesota avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.9%
Below Minnesota avg
Elementary
3
643 students
Middle
1
241 students
High
3
469 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Jackson County Central School Dist.
1,093 students · 3 districts in Jackson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Jackson 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+
26.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.4%
civilian labor
Median age
45
21.8% under 18
Test scores in Jackson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Minnesota state average: 49.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Jackson County Central Senior High· 55.4%
- Pleasantview Elementary· 51.8%
- HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY· 43.3%
- Riverside Elementary· 43.2%
- Jackson County Central Middle· 42.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary· 32.7%
- Jackson County Central Middle· 42.0%
- Riverside Elementary· 43.2%
- HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY· 43.3%
- Pleasantview Elementary· 51.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Elementary | Jackson | Elementary | PK-03 | 350 | · |
| Jackson County Central Senior High | Jackson | High | 09-12 | 332 | · |
| Jackson County Central Middle | Lakefield | Middle | 06-08 | 241 | · |
| Pleasantview Elementary | Lakefield | Elementary | 04-05 | 170 | · |
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary | Okabena | High | 07-12 | 137 | · |
| HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY | Heron Lake | Elementary | PK-06 | 123 | · |
| Jackson Co Central Credit Recovery | Jackson | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Jackson County
About Jackson County
Jackson County is a sparse Minnesota county of about 9,933 residents, home to 7 public schools and roughly 1,353 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $75,743, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 5%.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Jackson County is built around 3 elementary schools (643 students), 1 middle school (241), and 3 high schools (469).
Jackson County Central School Dist. is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,093 students across Jackson County.
Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,353 students, fell 6% from the 1,434 reported in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 87% to 82% over the same window.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Jackson County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data