Total enrollment
1,533
+45 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Hamlin County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Hamlin County runs 10 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 153 students. The level mix is 4 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Hamlin County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Hamlin County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 53.8% | #4 of 22 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,533 | #20 of 31 | #2,462 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 10 | #23 of 31 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.8:1 | #26 of 31 | #1,700 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 29.4% | #23 of 31 | #2,403 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 18.3% | #25 of 30 | #2,223 of 2,707 |
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.
Hamlin County school rankings
Residents
6,373
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
3 districts
Enrollment
1,533
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$87,101
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
29.4%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
4
778 students
Middle
3
334 students
High
3
421 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hamlin School District 28-3
896 students · 3 districts in Hamlin County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hamlin 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+
24.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
0.5%
civilian labor
Median age
32
33.1% under 18
Test scores in Hamlin County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Castlewood Elementary - 02· 67.2%
- Hamlin Elementary - 09· 61.7%
- Estelline Elementary - 02· 61.0%
- Hamlin Middle School - 02· 53.9%
- Castlewood Middle School - 03· 41.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Estelline Middle School - 03· 30.9%
- Castlewood Middle School - 03· 41.1%
- Hamlin Middle School - 02· 53.9%
- Estelline Elementary - 02· 61.0%
- Hamlin Elementary - 09· 61.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlin Elementary - 09 | Hayti | Elementary | PK-05 | 472 | · |
| Hamlin High School - 01 | Hayti | High | 09-12 | 226 | · |
| Hamlin Middle School - 02 | Hayti | Middle | 06-08 | 198 | · |
| Estelline Elementary - 02 | Estelline | Elementary | PK-05 | 149 | · |
| Castlewood Elementary - 02 | Castlewood | Elementary | PK-05 | 140 | · |
| Castlewood High School - 01 | Castlewood | High | 09-12 | 112 | · |
| Estelline High School - 01 | Estelline | High | 09-12 | 83 | · |
| Castlewood Middle School - 03 | Castlewood | Middle | 06-08 | 76 | · |
| Estelline Middle School - 03 | Estelline | Middle | 06-08 | 60 | · |
| Claremont Colony Elementary - 04 | Castlewood | Elementary | KG-08 | 17 | · |
Cities in Hamlin County
About Hamlin County
Hamlin County is a sparse South Dakota county of about 6,373 residents, home to 10 public schools and roughly 1,533 students.
Zooming out, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $87,101, about 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 5%. That income level is 24% meaningfully above the South Dakota median.
For a sense of the school types, Hamlin County consists of 4 elementary schools (778 students), 3 middle schools (334), and 3 high schools (421).
Hamlin School District 28-3 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 896 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Hamlin County has rose 3% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 1,488 students to 1,533.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Hamlin County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data