CountyScore

Scott County

Arkansas · AR

#10 in Arkansas
73.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Scott County, Arkansas

Scott County ranks among national leaders

With a composite score of 73.6, Scott County ranks in the top 46% of U.S. counties, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects particular excellence in tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Outperforms Arkansas state average

Scott County's 73.6 score exceeds the Arkansas state average of 70.3, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's counties. The county demonstrates above-average statewide livability despite limited data on schools and safety.

Exceptional tax rates and housing affordability

Scott County boasts a 90.7 tax score—the state's highest—with an effective tax rate of just 0.411%, paired with an 87.7 cost score reflecting median home values of $110,900 and rents of $736 per month. This combination offers exceptional fiscal efficiency for budget-conscious households.

Low incomes and modest health scores

Scott County's income score of 13.4 with a median household income of $45,955 is the state's lowest in this cohort, trailing significantly behind state and national averages. A health score of 58.0 and high risk score of 73.2 suggest economic vulnerability and wellness concerns.

Best for retirees on very tight budgets

Scott County is ideal for retirees and low-income households seeking the absolute lowest taxes and housing costs, though economic vulnerability requires stable income from other sources. The county prioritizes affordability over wage opportunity, making it less suitable for job seekers or career-builders.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.7Cost87.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.4Risk73.2WaterComing Soon
🏛90.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.2
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 Scott County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ontonagon County
Michigan
73.6
Median income: $51,844
Lake County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $75,621
Redwood County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $67,024
Putnam County
Missouri
73.6
Median income: $56,875
Powell County
Montana
73.6
Median income: $63,432

Deep Dives

Scott County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Scott County

via TaxByCounty

Scott County's lowest effective tax rate

Scott County's 0.411% effective tax rate ranks among the very lowest in the nation, with residents paying just $456 annually versus $2,690 nationally. This places Scott in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties for property tax burden.

Arkansas's most tax-friendly county

Scott County's 0.411% rate is the lowest in Arkansas, beating the state average of 0.532% by more than 22 percentage points. Homeowners pay roughly $249 less per year than the typical Arkansan, the steepest discount in the state.

Regional tax-rate champion

Scott County's 0.411% rate is the lowest in the entire eight-county sample, edging out Randolph County (0.440%) and Polk County (0.441%) to claim the region's tax advantage. No peer comes within 3 basis points of Scott's rate.

What property taxes cost in Scott County

A median Scott County home valued at $110,900 generates an estimated annual property tax of $456 without mortgage deductions, or $598 with them included. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $13,680 in property taxes on that median home.

Protect your tax advantage

Scott County's exceptional tax rate makes accurate assessments even more critical—any overvaluation directly cuts into your savings. Request a formal review of your assessed value against recent comparable sales to ensure you're getting the full benefit of living in Arkansas's lowest-tax county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scott County

via CostByCounty

Scott County renters strain above national norms

Scott County renters spend 19.2% of income on housing, exceeding the national average and approaching the threshold where affordability becomes financially precarious. This elevated ratio reflects limited local earnings relative to rental costs in the county.

Scott ranks near Arkansas's affordability ceiling

At 19.2%, Scott County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 18.1%, placing it among the state's least affordable counties. The median rent of $736 paired with the lowest median household income ($45,955) in this analysis creates real housing pressure.

High rent relative to lower local incomes

Scott County's $736 rent sits between Polk ($699) and Pope ($855), but its $45,955 median income is the lowest here—creating the worst affordability balance. Residents would find relief moving to Prairie ($637 rent, $51,094 income) or Randolph ($671 rent, $52,838 income).

Housing consumes excessive share of income

Scott County households earn just $45,955 annually, with renters paying $736/month (19.2% of income) and homeowners $494/month (12.9%). The rent burden cuts deepest here, leaving limited resources for other necessities compared to neighboring counties with similar rents but higher incomes.

Scott County: weigh costs carefully

If considering Scott County, scrutinize the numbers: median rent of $736 on just $45,955 income strains budgets significantly. Compare to nearby Polk County ($699 rent, $49,252 income) or Randolph ($671 rent, $52,838 income) to see where your paycheck stretches further.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County trails nation by 39%

Scott County households earn a median of $45,955 annually, nearly 39% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects the county's rural character and dependence on agriculture, forestry, and small-scale manufacturing.

Scott County below average in Arkansas

Scott County's $45,955 median household income is 10% below Arkansas's $51,156 state average, placing it among the lower-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $23,837 is well below the state average of $28,096, indicating significant economic challenges.

Scott County among lowest in region

Scott County's $45,955 median household income ranks second-lowest among the eight counties, ahead only of Searcy County ($41,978). The county lags substantially behind regional economic leaders Saline ($76,534) and Pulaski ($60,385) counties.

Housing costs strain limited incomes

Scott County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio is elevated relative to the county's modest median household income of $45,955. The median home value of $110,900 is accessible, but renters face tighter budgets than in lower-cost neighboring counties.

Modest incomes demand disciplined planning

Scott County residents earning near $46,000 should prioritize building emergency funds before investing, as income volatility in rural economies creates added risk. Local nonprofits and credit counseling services can help households create realistic budgets and explore income-boosting opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Scott County

via HealthByCounty

Alarming health crisis in county

Scott County's 68.3-year life expectancy is the lowest in the state and ranks 10 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 24.6% reporting poor or fair health and severe provider shortages, the county faces a public health emergency.

State's most critical health challenge

Scott County's 68.3-year life expectancy represents a profound divergence from Arkansas's 72.3-year state average—a gap of 4 full years. This is the lowest life expectancy among all eight profiled counties and signals urgent healthcare access and quality-of-life crises.

Abandoned by regional infrastructure

Scott County's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall below every comparable county, including Prairie County's already-limited 12 when adjusted for comparison. At 41 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health access is critically sparse.

Limited insurance, scarcer providers

While 9.1% uninsured is near the state average, the real crisis is that Scott County residents cannot find doctors even with coverage. Geographic isolation, provider retirement without replacement, and lack of medical infrastructure have created a healthcare desert.

First step: secure insurance today

If uninsured, enroll in Arkansas Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately—it's your foundation for health. Contact the Scott County Health Department about telehealth options, mobile clinics, and transportation assistance to reach care outside the county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scott County

via RiskByCounty

Scott County is very safe

Scott County's composite risk score of 26.84 ranks among the nation's safest counties, with a Very Low risk rating. You enjoy exceptional natural disaster protection compared to most of America.

Arkansas's safest county

At 26.84, Scott County sits nearly 29 points below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, making it the state's least-threatened county. This exceptional safety is a genuine advantage for residents and property owners.

Among the safest in the region

Scott County (26.84) is the safest in its cluster, followed closely by Searcy County (27.74) and well ahead of Polk County (46.12). Your western Arkansas mountainous location provides natural protection that neighboring counties lack.

Wildfire is your main concern

Wildfire risk (67.08) is Scott County's highest hazard, though even this remains moderate in national context. Flood risk (45.04) is next, while tornado, earthquake, and hurricane risks all stay well below state averages.

Wildfire prevention is key

Focus your preparedness on wildfire risk by maintaining 100 feet of defensible space around your home and clearing tree debris from gutters. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire; ensure your policy is current and consider evacuation planning if you're near forest areas.

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.