Total enrollment
1,542
+66 (+4%) vs SY 2020-21
Clay County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Clay County's 6 public schools sit inside South Dakota and collectively enroll about 2,202 K-12 students across 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high.
4-year change in Clay County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
4
-1 (-20%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Clay County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,202 | #16 of 31 | #2,123 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #31 of 31 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.8:1 | #18 of 31 | #1,234 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 32.5% | #20 of 31 | #2,335 of 2,526 |
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.
Residents
15,219
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
2,202
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$56,850
Below South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
32.5%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
4
1,446 students
Middle
1
343 students
High
1
413 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Vermillion School District 13-1
2,041 students · 2 districts in Clay County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Clay 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+
45.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
3.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.0%
civilian labor
Median age
25
17.4% under 18
Test scores in Clay County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermillion Elementary - 05 | Vermillion | Elementary | PK-05 | 625 | · |
| Vermillion High School - 01 | Vermillion | High | 09-12 | 413 | · |
| Jolley Elementary - 04 | Vermillion | Elementary | 02-05 | 383 | · |
| Vermillion Middle School - 02 | Vermillion | Middle | 06-08 | 343 | · |
| Austin Elementary - 03 | Vermillion | Elementary | PK-01 | 277 | · |
| Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02 | Wakonda | Elementary | PK-06 | 161 | · |
Cities in Clay County
About Clay County
In South Dakota, Clay County is a sparse county of about 15,219 residents. 6 public schools across the county educates about 2,202 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $56,850, roughly 45% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 3% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 19% below the South Dakota median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Clay County comprises 4 elementary schools (1,446 students), 1 middle school (343), and 1 high school (413).
Vermillion School District 13-1 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,041 students across Clay County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment rose 4%: 1,476 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,542 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 5 to 4 across the same 4-year window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Clay County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data