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Iron County

Wisconsin · Public K-12

Combined enrollment across Iron County's 3 public schools is roughly 636 students, an average of about 212 per campus. Hurley School District runs the largest share. By level, that breaks down as 1 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Iron County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
636
-77 (-11%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
3
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
91%
was 92%
% Hispanic
3%
was 3%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
3
2 districts
Enrollment
636
NCES CCD
Median income
$60,625
Below Wisconsin avg
Free/reduced lunch
34.9%
Below Wisconsin avg
Elementary
1
235 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
309 students
Combined / other
1
92 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hurley School District
544 students · 2 districts in Iron County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Iron 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
White
93%
Hispanic
2%
Black
0%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
91%
Hispanic
3%
Black
0%
Asian
0%
Two or more
5%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
26.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.5%
civilian labor
Median age
56
15.5% under 18

Test scores in Iron County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Wisconsin state average: 53.1%.

Top 2 schools (ELA)
  1. Hurley High· 54.9%
  2. Hurley Elementary· 49.0%

See all 2 schools in Iron County ranked by score →

All schools (3)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Hurley HighHurleyHigh06-12309·
Hurley ElementaryHurleyElementaryPK-05235·
Mercer SchoolMercerCombinedPK-1292·

Cities in Iron County

Hurley2 schoolsMercer1 school

About Iron County

Iron County is a low-population Wisconsin county of about 6,210 residents, home to 3 public schools and roughly 636 students.

Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $60,625, roughly 26% 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 17% below the Wisconsin median.

On the school-mix side, Iron County is made up of 1 elementary school (235 students), 1 high school (309), and 1 combined or other schools.

Hurley School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 544 students across Iron County.

Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 636 students, contracted 11% from the 713 reported in SY 2017-18.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Iron County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Iron County?
Iron County, Wisconsin has 3 public K-12 schools serving approximately 636 students.
How many high schools are in Iron County?
Iron County, Wisconsin has 1 public high school, serving approximately 309 students.
How many elementary schools are in Iron County?
Iron County, Wisconsin has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 235 students.
What is the largest school district in Iron County?
Hurley School District is the largest school district in Iron County, serving approximately 544 students. The county contains 2 school districts overall.
How many people live in Iron County?
Iron County has roughly 6,210 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Iron County?
Median household income in Iron County is $60,625, below the Wisconsin average of $73,469. About 5.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Iron County?
Approximately 26.0% of adults 25 and older in Iron County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Iron County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 34.9% of students in Iron County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Wisconsin county average of 41.4%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Iron County schools?
Across Iron County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 12.8 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Iron County?
Iron County residents are approximately 93% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 5% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data