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Dakota County

Nebraska · Public K-12

Public-school enrollment in Dakota County clocks in around 4,437 students across 11 schools (8 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high).

7-year change in Dakota County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
4,437
+88 (+2%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
11
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
22%
was 26%
% Hispanic
59%
was 58%
% Black
9%
was 6%
% Asian
3%
was 3%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
11
3 districts
Enrollment
4,437
NCES CCD
Median income
$70,329
Above Nebraska avg
Free/reduced lunch
65.1%
Above Nebraska avg
Elementary
8
2,258 students
Middle
1
781 students
High
2
1,398 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS
3,871 students · 3 districts in Dakota County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Dakota 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
45%
Hispanic
42%
Black
9%
Asian
3%
Two or more
21%
Native American
3%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
22%
Hispanic
59%
Black
9%
Asian
3%
Two or more
2%
Native American
4%
Pacific Islander
1%
Bachelor's+
14.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
33
29.5% under 18

Test scores in Dakota County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Nebraska state average: 57.6%.

See all 8 schools in Dakota County ranked by score →

All schools (11)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOLSo Sioux CityHigh09-121,193·
SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOLSo Sioux CityMiddle06-08781·
CARDINAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSo Sioux CityElementaryPK-05424·
COVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSo Sioux CityElementaryPK-05408·
HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSo Sioux CityElementaryPK-05328·
LEWIS & CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHSo Sioux CityElementaryPK-05253·
DAKOTA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLDakota CityElementaryPK-05246·
HOMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLHomerElementaryPK-06245·
E N SWETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSo Sioux CityElementaryPK-PK238·
HOMER HIGH SCHOOLHomerHigh07-12205·
JACKSON ELEMENTARYJacksonElementaryPK-02116·

Cities in Dakota County

So Sioux City7 schoolsHomer2 schoolsDakota City1 schoolJackson1 school

About Dakota County

Across the compact Nebraska county of Dakota County of about 21,354 residents, the public-school footprint covers 11 schools and about 4,437 students.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $70,329, about 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 10%.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Dakota County is built around 8 elementary schools (2,258 students), 1 middle school (781), and 2 high schools (1,398).

SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,871 students on its own.

Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment held roughly steady: 4,349 students in SY 2017-18 versus 4,437 in SY 2024-25. The White share of public-school enrollment contracted from 26% to 22%.

On allk12, the community for Dakota County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Dakota County?
There are 11 public K-12 schools in Dakota County, Nebraska, with a combined enrollment of about 4,437.
How many high schools are in Dakota County?
Dakota County, Nebraska has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 1,398 students.
How many middle schools are in Dakota County?
Dakota County, Nebraska has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 781 students.
How many elementary schools are in Dakota County?
Dakota County, Nebraska has 8 public elementary schools, serving approximately 2,258 students.
What is the largest school district in Dakota County?
SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS is the largest school district in Dakota County, serving approximately 3,871 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
What is the population of Dakota County?
Dakota County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 21,354, with a median age of 33. About 29.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Dakota County?
Median household income in Dakota County is $70,329, above the Nebraska average of $69,055. About 10.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Dakota County?
Approximately 14.6% of adults 25 and older in Dakota County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Dakota County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 65.1% of students in Dakota County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Nebraska county average of 40.0%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dakota County schools?
Across Dakota County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.8 to 1.

Dakota County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data