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Pierce County

North Dakota · Public K-12

Of the 2 public K-12 schools in Pierce County, the largest district by enrollment is Rugby 5 (589 students). Total county enrollment runs around 589. By grade band, the county runs 1 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Pierce County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
589
-75 (-11%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
2
-2 (-50%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
87%
was 93%
% Hispanic
2%
was 1%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
2
1 districts
Enrollment
589
NCES CCD
Median income
$59,365
Below North Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
28.0%
Below North Dakota avg
Elementary
1
285 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
304 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
RUGBY 5
589 students · 1 district in Pierce County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Pierce 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
91%
Hispanic
1%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
3%
Native American
4%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
87%
Hispanic
2%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
1%
Native American
7%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
28.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.1%
civilian labor
Median age
45
20.9% under 18

Test scores in Pierce County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 1 schools ranked. North Dakota state average: 38.7%.

Top 1 schools (ELA)
  1. RUGBY ELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 43.0%

See all 1 schools in Pierce County ranked by score →

All schools (2)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
RUGBY HIGH SCHOOLRugbyHigh07-12304·
RUGBY ELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLRugbyElementaryPK-06285·

Cities in Pierce County

Rugby2 schools

About Pierce County

In North Dakota, Pierce County is a sparse county of about 3,928 residents. 2 public schools across the county serves about 589 students between them.

For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $59,365, about 28% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 5%. That income level is 19% below the North Dakota median.

On the school-mix side, Pierce County is built around 1 elementary school (285 students), and 1 high school (304).

RUGBY 5 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 589 students on its own.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 589 students, decreased 11% from the 664 reported in SY 2017-18. Pierce County now counts 2 public schools, down from 4 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 93% to 87%.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Pierce County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, North Dakota has 2 public K-12 schools serving approximately 589 students.
How many high schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, North Dakota has 1 public high school, serving approximately 304 students.
How many elementary schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, North Dakota has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 285 students.
What is the largest school district in Pierce County?
RUGBY 5 is the largest school district in Pierce County, serving approximately 589 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
What is the population of Pierce County?
Pierce County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 3,928, with a median age of 45. About 20.9% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Pierce County?
Median household income in Pierce County is $59,365, below the North Dakota average of $73,179. About 4.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Pierce County?
Approximately 28.2% of adults 25 and older in Pierce County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Pierce County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 28.0% of students in Pierce County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the North Dakota county average of 33.7%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pierce County schools?
Across Pierce County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.0 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Pierce County?
Pierce County residents are approximately 91% White, 1% Hispanic, 0% Black, 0% Asian, 3% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data