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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.

7-year change in Clay County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,542
+96 (+7%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
4
-1 (-20%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
76%
was 80%
% Hispanic
6%
was 4%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
2,202
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
White
85%
Hispanic
3%
Black
2%
Asian
3%
Two or more
6%
Native American
4%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
75%
Hispanic
7%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
7%
Native American
8%
Pacific Islander
0%
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%.

See all 3 schools in Clay County ranked by score →

All schools (6)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Vermillion Elementary - 05VermillionElementaryPK-05625·
Vermillion High School - 01VermillionHigh09-12413·
Jolley Elementary - 04VermillionElementary02-05383·
Vermillion Middle School - 02VermillionMiddle06-08343·
Austin Elementary - 03VermillionElementaryPK-01277·
Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02WakondaElementaryPK-06161·

Cities in Clay County

Vermillion5 schoolsWakonda1 school

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 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment rose 7%: 1,446 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,542 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 5 to 4 across the same 7-year window. The White share of public-school enrollment shrank from 80% to 76%.

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

How many public schools are in Clay County?
Clay County, South Dakota has 6 public K-12 schools serving approximately 2,202 students.
How many high schools are in Clay County?
Clay County, South Dakota has 1 public high school, serving approximately 413 students.
How many middle schools are in Clay County?
Clay County, South Dakota has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 343 students.
How many elementary schools are in Clay County?
Clay County, South Dakota has 4 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,446 students.
What is the largest school district in Clay County?
Vermillion School District 13-1 is the largest school district in Clay County, serving approximately 2,041 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
How many people live in Clay County?
Clay County has roughly 15,219 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Clay County?
Median household income in Clay County is $56,850, below the South Dakota average of $70,004. About 3.1% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Clay County?
Approximately 45.4% of adults 25 and older in Clay County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Clay County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 32.5% of students in Clay County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the South Dakota county average of 42.3%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clay County schools?
Across Clay County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.9 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data