Total enrollment
424
+26 (+7%) vs SY 2017-18
Perkins County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Perkins County runs 6 public K-12 schools inside South Dakota, with the county population around 3,001. The mix is 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high.
7-year change in Perkins County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
91%
was 92%
% Hispanic
3%
was 3%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
424
NCES CCD
Median income
$66,908
Below South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
36.3%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
2
204 students
Middle
2
71 students
High
2
149 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Lemmon School District 52-4
289 students · 2 districts in Perkins County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Perkins 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+
24.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.9%
civilian labor
Median age
44
22.4% under 18
Test scores in Perkins County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
- Lemmon Jr. High - 06· 60.4%
- Lemmon Elementary - 02· 56.9%
- Bison Elementary - 02· 40.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemmon Elementary - 02 | Lemmon | Elementary | KG-05 | 139 | · |
| Lemmon High School - 01 | Lemmon | High | 09-12 | 97 | · |
| Bison Elementary - 02 | Bison | Elementary | KG-06 | 65 | · |
| Lemmon Jr. High - 06 | Lemmon | Middle | 06-08 | 53 | · |
| Bison High School - 01 | Bison | High | 09-12 | 52 | · |
| Bison Jr. High - 04 | Bison | Middle | 07-08 | 18 | · |
Cities in Perkins County
About Perkins County
Perkins County is a compact county of about 3,001 residents in South Dakota. Its public-school system teaches approximately 424 students across 6 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $66,908, about 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
In terms of grade levels, Perkins County comprises 2 elementary schools (204 students), 2 middle schools (71), and 2 high schools (149).
Lemmon School District 52-4 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 289 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 424 students, rose 7% from the 398 reported in SY 2017-18.
On allk12, the community for Perkins County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data