| | Essex, IA | Shenandoah, IA | United States |
| Expend. per Student | $14,704 | $14,704 | $15,905 |
| Educ. Expend. per Student | $11,461 | $11,461 | $13,142 |
| Instr. Expend. per Student | $7,035 | $7,035 | $7,999 |
| Pupil/Teacher Ratio | 13.07 | 13.07 | 16.23 |
| Students per Librarian | 583 | 583 | 4573 |
| Students per Counselor | 287 | 287 | 530 |
| Grade School Educ. | 3.2% | 2.4% | 4.8% |
| Some High School Educ. | 15.5% | 6.7% | 6.3% |
| High School Educ. | 81.3% | 90.8% | 88.9% |
| Some College Educ. | 24.6% | 22.3% | 20.0% |
| 2 yr College Grad. | 4.8% | 11.4% | 8.7% |
| 4 yr College Grad. | 11.6% | 18.7% | 33.7% |
| Masters Grad. | 1.2% | 3.8% | 9.3% |
| Professional Degree | 1.3% | 0.7% | 2.2% |
| Doctorate Degree | 2.2% | 0.3% | 1.5% |