Total enrollment
547
+251 (+85%) vs SY 2017-18
Jackson County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Jackson County, South Dakota's 6 public schools span elementary through high school (3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high). Total enrollment is roughly 547 students.
7-year change in Jackson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
+1 (+20%) vs SY 2017-18
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
547
NCES CCD
Median income
$35,417
Below South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
71.7%
Above South Dakota avg
Elementary
3
155 students
Middle
1
51 students
High
1
71 students
Combined / other
1
270 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Kadoka Area School District 35-2
277 students · 2 districts in Jackson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Jackson 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+
12.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
40.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.2%
civilian labor
Median age
34
32.9% under 18
Test scores in Jackson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 2 schools (ELA)
- Kadoka Middle School - 03· 68.1%
- Kadoka Elementary - 02· 60.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy Horse School | Wanblee | Combined | KG-12 | 270 | · |
| Kadoka Elementary - 02 | Kadoka | Elementary | PK-05 | 118 | · |
| Kadoka Area High School - 01 | Kadoka | High | 09-12 | 71 | · |
| Kadoka Middle School - 03 | Kadoka | Middle | 06-08 | 51 | · |
| Longvalley Elementary - 10 | Long Valley | Elementary | KG-08 | 22 | · |
| Interior Elementary - 09 | Interior | Elementary | KG-08 | 15 | · |
Cities in Jackson County
About Jackson County
In South Dakota, Jackson County is a low-population county of about 2,802 residents. 6 public schools across the county teaches about 547 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $35,417, roughly 12% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 40% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 49% meaningfully below the South Dakota median.
For a sense of the school types, Jackson County comprises 3 elementary schools (155 students), 1 middle school (51), 1 high school (71), and 1 combined or other schools.
Kadoka Area School District 35-2 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 277 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment increased 85%: 296 students in SY 2017-18 versus 547 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Jackson County gained 1 school, going from 5 to 6.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Jackson County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data