CountyScore

Scotland County

Missouri · MO

#59 in Missouri
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Scotland County, Missouri

Scotland County scores 53% above national norm

Scotland County's composite score of 76.4 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid livability on tax and affordability measures compared to U.S. counties overall. The score positions it well for households seeking lower costs of living.

Above Missouri's state average

Scotland County scores 76.4, above Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the upper half of the state's 114 counties. Performance across tax and housing measures is consistent with this ranking.

Strong income relative to affordable housing

Scotland County balances respectable income (score: 27.5, median $67,568—second-highest among these eight counties) with affordable housing (cost score: 87.1, median rent $516/month, homes averaging $141,100). This combination makes it appealing for middle-to-upper-middle-income families.

Data gaps limit complete picture

Safety, schools, health, and water quality metrics remain unavailable for Scotland County, leaving important livability dimensions unmeasured. These omissions may matter significantly to families evaluating the county beyond pure affordability.

Ideal for growing families seeking value

Scotland County appeals to families with moderate-to-good incomes who want affordable housing without sacrificing earning power. The county offers one of the better combinations of income and cost efficiency among these eight Missouri options.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.5Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth54.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk67.1WaterComing Soon
🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Scotland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Scotland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Scotland County

via TaxByCounty

Scotland County taxes run above state norm

Scotland County's effective tax rate of 0.845% exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733% by roughly 15%, positioning residents above the state baseline. The median property tax of $1,192 remains far below the national median of $2,690, ranking Scotland in approximately the 35th percentile nationally.

Scotland ranks in upper Missouri tier

Scotland County's effective rate of 0.845% places it among Missouri's higher-tax counties, about 15% above the state average of 0.733%. The median tax bill of $1,192 is just shy of the state median of $1,199, making Scotland one of the state's pricier jurisdictions relative to home values.

Scotland sits among region's highest taxes

Scotland County's 0.845% rate ranks second-highest in this analysis after Schuyler (0.871%), placing it well above Ray (0.818%), Saline (0.815%), and dramatically higher than the low-tax rural counties. Scotland clearly belongs in the region's upper-tax cluster.

Median annual bill: $1,192

On Scotland County's median home value of $141,100, homeowners pay roughly $1,192 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically see $1,231 in escrow, while outright owners pay $1,119.

Review and appeal your assessment

Scotland County homeowners should carefully review their property assessments, as overvaluation is common. A timely appeal costs nothing and can reduce your annual tax bill if your home is assessed above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scotland County

via CostByCounty

Scotland County offers exceptional rental value

Scotland County's rent-to-income ratio of 9.2% significantly outperforms national trends, with renters dedicating less than two-thirds the typical national share to housing. At $516 monthly rent against a median household income of $67,568, this county combines low costs with above-average income stability.

Scotland County ranks among Missouri's best

Scotland County's 9.2% rent-to-income ratio substantially beats Missouri's 15.6% state average, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. The median income of $67,568 further strengthens housing affordability here.

Scotland County combines low rent and solid income

Scotland County's $516 rent undercuts the state median of $768 by nearly one-third, and its $67,568 median income tops most neighboring counties. This combination creates the region's strongest rental affordability profile.

Housing takes just 9.2% of household income

Scotland County renters allocate 9.2% of their $67,568 income to rent—less than $6,200 annually—leaving ample resources for utilities, savings, and discretionary spending. Home buyers encounter ownership costs of $809 monthly with median home values of $141,100, also highly accessible relative to income.

Scotland County balances affordability and income

Scotland County deserves serious consideration for relocating renters: $516 monthly rent, 9.2% rent-to-income ratio, and $67,568 median income create exceptional affordability without sacrificing income stability. This county combines the best of both worlds—cheap housing and earning power.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scotland County

via IncomeByCounty

Scotland County approaches national income levels

Scotland County's median household income of $67,568 approaches the national median of $74,755, falling just 10% short and placing it in the upper-middle tier. This strong performance reflects a county economy anchored by diverse employers and residents with higher educational attainment.

Top earner among Missouri counties

Scotland County ranks in Missouri's top 25% of counties with a median household income of $67,568—13% above the state average of $59,503. Its per capita income of $30,417 also exceeds Missouri's $31,011 average, signaling both higher individual wages and broader earning opportunities.

Scotland leads regional income performance

At $67,568, Scotland County outperforms all nearby counties except Ray ($72,152), positioning it as an economic leader in its region. This income advantage suggests stronger schools, more stable employment, or larger employers drawing skilled workers to the area.

Excellent housing affordability combined with strong income

Scotland County residents enjoy a rent-to-income ratio of just 9.2%, far below the 15% threshold, meaning housing costs take minimal household share. Median home values of $141,100 paired with strong incomes create an ideal affordability environment for homebuyers and renters alike.

Strong income and low housing costs fuel savings

Scotland County's combination of above-state-average earnings and exceptional housing affordability positions residents well for aggressive wealth-building through investing and homeownership. With favorable housing-to-income dynamics and higher per capita income, households here can comfortably contribute to retirement accounts, college funds, and investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Scotland County

via HealthByCounty

Scotland extends life, but coverage lags

Scotland County's 76.5-year life expectancy is the highest among these eight counties and only 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years. However, its 23.0% uninsured rate—the worst in this group—means nearly 1 in 4 residents lack health coverage despite decent longevity metrics.

Scotland tops Missouri on life expectancy

At 76.5 years, Scotland County's life expectancy surpasses Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 2.2 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties by this measure. Yet the 23.0% uninsured rate nearly doubles Missouri's 12.5% average, creating a paradox of health and healthcare access.

Scotland leads on longevity, struggles on coverage

Scotland County's 76.5-year life expectancy is the highest in the region, nearly 3 years ahead of Saline County (74.8 years). Paradoxically, its 23.0% uninsured rate is 7.7 percentage points above neighboring Reynolds County (15.3%), suggesting structural barriers to insurance enrollment.

Elite provider access, but affordability barrier

Scotland County boasts 171 primary care providers per 100K—by far the highest in this group—yet 23.0% remain uninsured, likely unable to afford care despite availability. This mismatch suggests affordability, not access, is the primary barrier to health insurance in Scotland County.

Scotland residents: check eligibility now

Despite excellent provider availability, Scotland County's 23% uninsured rate is the highest in this group and demands action. Visit healthcare.gov to see if subsidies or Medicaid make coverage affordable for your household.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scotland County

via RiskByCounty

Scotland County carries below-average risk nationally

Scotland County's composite risk score of 32.95 sits well below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' rating overall. The county's favorable profile reflects minimal flood and earthquake exposure, though wildfire and tornado threats remain moderate regional concerns.

Among Missouri's safest counties

Scotland County's 32.95 composite score ranks significantly below Missouri's 50.56 state average, placing it solidly in the state's lower-risk tier. Only a handful of Missouri counties—notably Schuyler—carry lower overall natural disaster exposure.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Scotland County's 32.95 score outperforms neighboring Ray County (44.37), Saline County (51.62), and most other regional peers in terms of overall safety. Its low flood risk (18.26) particularly sets it apart from counties along major river systems.

Wildfire risk stands above other threats

Wildfire risk (55.15) represents Scotland County's most significant natural hazard exposure, though still moderate compared to national wildfire-prone regions. Tornado risk (51.78) ranks second, with flood (18.26), earthquake (30.28), and hurricane (19.90) threats all remaining well below statewide averages.

Focus on wildfire defense and maintenance

Scotland County homeowners should maintain defensible space around structures by clearing dead vegetation and tree branches, reducing wildfire risk. Standard homeowner insurance typically covers wildfire damage, but ensuring adequate coverage limits and maintaining property inspections provides the best protection in this relatively low-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.