Total enrollment
2,905
+101 (+4%) vs SY 2020-21
Hughes County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Hughes County, South Dakota operates 7 public K-12 schools today, enrolling approximately 2,919 students (about 417 per school). By grade band, the county runs 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in Hughes County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Hughes County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 55.8% | #2 of 22 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,919 | #14 of 31 | #1,873 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #30 of 31 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.5:1 | #31 of 31 | #2,198 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 34.7% | #16 of 31 | #2,280 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 55.5% | #7 of 30 | #817 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.
Residents
17,664
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
2,919
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$81,395
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
34.7%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
5
1,392 students
Middle
1
672 students
High
1
855 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Pierre School District 32-2
2,749 students · 3 districts in Hughes County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hughes 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+
39.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.0%
civilian labor
Median age
40
24.4% under 18
Test scores in Hughes County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- Buchanan Elementary - 03· 64.3%
- Georgia Morse Middle School - 02· 57.9%
- Kennedy Elementary - 08· 57.2%
- Jefferson Elementary - 06· 53.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T F Riggs High School - 01 | Pierre | High | 09-12 | 855 | · |
| Georgia Morse Middle School - 02 | Pierre | Middle | 06-08 | 672 | · |
| Buchanan Elementary - 03 | Pierre | Elementary | KG-05 | 432 | · |
| Kennedy Elementary - 08 | Pierre | Elementary | KG-05 | 413 | · |
| Jefferson Elementary - 06 | Pierre | Elementary | KG-05 | 377 | · |
| Pierre Indian Learning Center | Pierre | Elementary | 01-08 | 156 | · |
| Blunt Elementary - 03 | Blunt | Elementary | PK-04 | 14 | · |
Cities in Hughes County
About Hughes County
In South Dakota, Hughes County is a rural-scale county of about 17,664 residents. 7 public schools across the county instructs about 2,919 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $81,395, roughly 39% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 5%. That income level is 16% higher than the South Dakota median.
For a sense of the school types, Hughes County is made up of 5 elementary schools (1,392 students), 1 middle school (672), and 1 high school (855).
Pierre School District 32-2 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,749 students across Hughes County.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment rose 4%: 2,804 students in SY 2020-21 versus 2,905 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Hughes County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data