countyscore
49.2
County Score
Property Tax 93.2Cost of Living 86.7Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Scott County, Arkansas

Scott County near national median score

Scott County's composite score of 49.2 sits just below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the middle tier of American livability. This near-median performance reflects a mixed profile of strengths and vulnerabilities.

Slightly above-average Arkansas performer

Scott County edges above the Arkansas state average composite score of 47.9, making it a marginally better-performing county statewide. Residents enjoy modestly better conditions than much of rural Arkansas.

Tax breaks and housing are major assets

Scott County offers the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.411% and a tax score of 93.2, combined with strong housing affordability (cost score 86.7). A median home value of $110,900 and median rent of $736 make this an appealing option for budget-conscious households.

Income and health significantly underperform

The county struggles with an income score of just 8.3 and median household income of $45,955, the lowest among these eight counties. Health (23.2) and safety (16.0) are also weak points, suggesting limited healthcare infrastructure and moderate security concerns.

For retirees with fixed income priorities

Scott County suits fixed-income retirees and families needing the absolute lowest tax burden and housing costs, regardless of healthcare access or local wages. If you have income from outside the county, this is an economical choice.

2040608010093.286.71623.222.88.373.28662.2Tax93.2Cost86.7Safety16Health23.2Schools22.8Income8.3Risk73.2Water86Weather62.249.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Scott County DNA

Foverall

How Scott County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Scott County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (93.2/100) but notably weak in Income (8.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
93.2+41.2
Cost
86.7+38.7
Safety
16-39
Health
23.2-26.8
Schools
22.8-31.2
Income
8.3-42.7
Risk
73.2+26.200000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
62.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Scott County

Whether buying or refinancing in Scott County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$110,900

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$736/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$110,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $45,955/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Sebastian County
Arkansas
35.1
Polk County
Arkansas
51.5
Logan County
Arkansas
48.5
Montgomery County
Arkansas
63.3
Le Flore County
Oklahoma
37.7
Franklin County
Arkansas
52.4
Yell County
Arkansas
50.9
Crawford County
Arkansas
43.7

Deep Dives

Scott County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Scott County

via CrimeByCounty

Scott County Maintains Steady Safety Levels

Scott County has a safety score of 96.3 and a total crime rate of 2319.9 per 100K. This rate is slightly better than the national average of 2385.5.

Perfectly Aligned with State Safety Trends

Scott County's safety score of 96.3 exactly matches the Arkansas state average. Its total crime rate is also nearly identical to the statewide average of 2326.8.

Slightly More Incidents than Neighboring Polk

Compared to nearby Polk County, which has a crime rate of 1774.7, Scott County experiences more frequent incidents. Three reporting agencies coordinate to manage these local safety challenges.

Low Violent Crime, Typical Property Crime

The violent crime rate of 324.2 is lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1995.7, suggesting most local issues involve theft or burglary rather than physical harm.

Effective Home Defense Strategies

Focusing on property security helps keep Scott County's crime rates low. Deadbolt locks and neighborhood communication are two of the best tools for preventing residential crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Scott County

via SchoolsByCounty

Focused Rural Education in Scott County

Scott County operates seven public schools serving 2,351 students within two school districts. The infrastructure includes two elementary, two middle, and two high schools, along with one specialized campus.

Local Performance and Moderate Investment

The county's graduation rate sits at 85.9%, slightly below the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $6,184, which aligns with state averages while resulting in a composite school score of 49.6.

Waldron Leads with Charter Presence

The Waldron School District is the primary provider with 1,576 students across four schools. Notably, one of the county's seven schools is a charter, representing 14.3% of the local educational landscape.

Small Town Intimacy in Rural Settings

Six of the county's seven schools are located in rural areas, fostering a tight-knit community feel. The average school size is 336 students, with Waldron Elementary being the largest at 661 students.

Quiet Living Near Scott County Schools

Scott County provides a classic rural Arkansas education experience with small school sizes and local district control. Families looking for a quiet community should explore properties near the Waldron and Mansfield school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Scott County

via WaterByCounty

Drinking Water Standards Fully Met

Scott County holds an 'A' grade with no health violations recorded in the EPA's five-year lookback. The county's 0.0 violation rate is much lower than the state's average of 172.5. Public water providers are successfully managing the county's drinking supply.

Mercury and Oxygen Levels Stress Watersheds

Exactly 16.1% of local water bodies fail to meet health standards according to the 2022 cycle. Top causes for these 25 impairments include dissolved oxygen and mercury in fish tissue. This failure rate is slightly better than the 17.8% state average.

Active Monitoring Across Eight Rural Sites

Eight monitoring sites in Scott County have generated 9,746 measurements over the last five years. The data focuses primarily on inorganics, metals, and nutrients. This provides a steady stream of information for tracking pollutants like mercury mentioned in health reports.

Poteau River Experiencing Critically Low Flow

The Poteau River at Cauthron is currently flowing at 32 cfs, just 12% of its 261 cfs mean. This signifies a major departure from typical conditions for this drainage area. Lower water levels can lead to stagnant conditions and higher water temperatures.

Exercise Caution with Local Fish Consumption

With mercury listed as a top impairment, residents should follow state fish consumption advisories. The critically low streamflow in the Poteau River may also lead to low dissolved oxygen, which harms local fish populations. Drinking water remains safe, but the outdoor environment requires careful observation.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Scott County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Subtropical Climate in Scott County

Scott County’s 60.1°F annual average temperature is several degrees warmer than the national median. Its 52.7 inches of rain reflects a consistently humid environment.

Tracking Close to State Averages

Scott County's annual temperature of 60.1°F is slightly cooler than the Arkansas state average of 61.0°F. Its 52.7 inches of rainfall is almost exactly in line with the statewide average of 52.4 inches.

Cooler Than the River Valley

Scott County is significantly cooler than neighboring Sebastian County, which averages 62.4°F. It also receives more rainfall and experiences 14 fewer extreme heat days than its northern neighbor.

Balanced Heat and Mild Winters

The county records 64 days above 90°F, with July highs averaging 80.3°F. Winter brings a January average of 39.1°F and a modest 2.9 inches of annual snowfall.

Practical Advice for Scott Residents

Residents should prepare for a long summer season that includes 64 days of extreme heat. Since snow is rare at 2.9 inches per year, focus outdoor prep on managing the 52.7 inches of annual rain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Scott County

via SoilByCounty

Deeply acidic soils near the border

Scott County's soil shows an average pH of 5.42, which is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This pH level is also slightly below the Arkansas state average of 5.56. While specific taxonomic data is limited, the acidic profile suggests a landscape that requires careful nutrient management.

A balanced mix of sand and silt

The soil composition is nearly even, with 41.5% sand and 42.8% silt. This blend, combined with a 15.6% clay content, creates a medium-textured soil that is generally easy to cultivate. The balance of particles helps maintain a structure that supports both root growth and airflow.

Building fertility from a low base

Organic matter content is 1.61%, which is lower than the national 2.0% average and well below the state average of 4.15%. The available water capacity is 0.135 in/in, indicating a slightly lower ability to store water compared to the state average. Regular additions of mulch and compost are essential for long-term productivity.

Managing slow water movement in group D

The county's soils fall into hydrologic group D, which means they have very slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wet. This often results in high runoff and can lead to soggy conditions in low-lying areas. Farmers and gardeners should plan for drainage solutions to keep roots healthy during wet spells.

Abundant sunshine in hardiness zone 8a

In hardiness zone 8a, Scott County gardeners can enjoy a long season for growing tomatoes, corn, and squash. A soil score of 24.6 suggests there is plenty of room for improvement through soil amendments and smart drainage. Start small, test your soil, and watch your Arkansas garden flourish.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Scott County

via LawnByCounty

Reasonable Growing Conditions in Zone 8a

Scott County holds a lawn difficulty score of 43.0, performing better than the typical Arkansas county. While it falls short of the national average of 50.0, it is much more manageable than many of its neighbors. This score reflects a relative balance of heat and moisture compared to the rest of the state.

High Rainfall and Average Arkansas Heat

Scott County averages 52.7 inches of rain per year, slightly exceeding the ideal 50-inch threshold. It matches the state's typical heat profile with 64 extreme heat days and 4,859 growing degree days. This climate supports vigorous grass growth but can lead to saturated soils in early spring.

Sandy Texture with Acidic Chemistry

The soil is 41.5% sand and 15.6% clay, providing a good balance that resists excessive compaction. However, a pH of 5.42 is quite acidic and will likely require lime to optimize grass performance. Without pH correction, your lawn may struggle to absorb the fertilizer you apply.

Low Drought Impact Compared to Neighbors

Over the past year, Scott County only saw 11 weeks of drought, much lower than the 30-week average elsewhere. While 100% of the county is abnormally dry, only 8.5% is currently in severe drought. This makes it one of the most resilient counties in the state during dry years.

Mid-April is Prime Planting Time

Wait for the last spring frost on April 8th to ensure your new lawn isn't damaged by a late cold snap. Bermuda and Zoysia are ideal for the local 8a hardiness zone and summer heat. You have until the first frost on October 28th to prepare your lawn for its winter dormancy.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scott County's county score?
Scott County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 49.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Scott County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Scott County ranks #35 among all counties in Arkansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Scott County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Scott County is $456, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Scott County a tax score of 93.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Scott County?
The median household income in Scott County, Arkansas is $45,955 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Scott County earns an income score of 8.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Scott County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Scott County scores 49.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #35 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Scott County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Scott County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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