Total enrollment
1,459
+42 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
Turner County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Turner County number 15, teaching approximately 1,459 South Dakota students against a population of 8,882. The level mix is 5 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Turner County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
90%
was 91%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
5 districts
Enrollment
1,459
NCES CCD
Median income
$75,771
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
27.1%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
5
611 students
Middle
5
341 students
High
5
507 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Parker School District 60-4
453 students · 5 districts in Turner County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Turner 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+
27.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.2%
civilian labor
Median age
41
25.3% under 18
Test scores in Turner County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Parker Jr. High - 03· 38.9%
- Parker Elementary - 02· 43.8%
- Marion Elementary - 02· 48.9%
- Marion Middle School - 03· 48.9%
- Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02· 51.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker Elementary - 02 | Parker | Elementary | PK-06 | 238 | · |
| Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 | Viborg | Elementary | PK-04 | 153 | · |
| Parker High School - 01 | Parker | High | 09-12 | 141 | · |
| Viborg-Hurley High School - 01 | Viborg | High | 09-12 | 124 | · |
| Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 | Hurley | Middle | 05-08 | 114 | · |
| Centerville Elementary - 02 | Centerville | Elementary | PK-05 | 108 | · |
| Marion Elementary - 02 | Marion | Elementary | PK-05 | 100 | · |
| Centerville High School - 01 | Centerville | High | 09-12 | 94 | · |
| Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 | Irene | High | 09-12 | 86 | · |
| Parker Jr. High - 03 | Parker | Middle | 07-08 | 74 | · |
| Marion High School - 01 | Marion | High | 09-12 | 62 | · |
| Centerville Middle School - 03 | Centerville | Middle | 06-08 | 61 | · |
| Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04 | Irene | Middle | 07-08 | 46 | · |
| Marion Middle School - 03 | Marion | Middle | 06-08 | 46 | · |
| Cameron Colony Elementary - 04 | Viborg | Elementary | KG-08 | 12 | · |
Cities in Turner County
About Turner County
Turner County is a thinly populated South Dakota county of about 8,882 residents, home to 15 public schools and roughly 1,459 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $75,771 a year, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% noticeably above the South Dakota median.
On the school-mix side, Turner County comprises 5 elementary schools (611 students), 5 middle schools (341), and 5 high schools (507).
Parker School District 60-4 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 453 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,459 students, grew 3% from the 1,417 reported in SY 2017-18.
On allk12, the community for Turner County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Turner County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data