Scott County scores 70.6 on the composite index, placing it 41% above the national median of 50.0 and among the strongest-performing counties in the U.S. It significantly exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1 by 8.5 points.
2 / 5
Illinois's Top Tier
Scott County ranks in the top tier of Illinois counties with its 70.6 score, substantially outperforming the state average. It demonstrates the strongest livability profile in this group of eight counties.
3 / 5
Excellence Across the Board
Scott County excels with the lowest tax burden (1.383% effective rate, tax score 63.4), excellent housing affordability (cost score 85.8, median home value $101,700), and solid income levels (score 31.0, median $73,013). It's a rare county balancing all three economic dimensions well.
4 / 5
Data Gaps Remain
While Scott's economic metrics are exceptional, data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is not yet available. These factors could influence the full livability assessment for some residents.
5 / 5
The Premier Choice Here
Scott County is ideal for families and professionals seeking the best combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and respectable incomes in one location. It's the strongest all-around option for balanced Illinois living.
Scott County scores 70.6 on the composite index, placing it 41% above the national median of 50.0 and among the strongest-performing counties in the U.S. It significantly exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1 by 8.5 points.
Illinois's Top Tier
Scott County ranks in the top tier of Illinois counties with its 70.6 score, substantially outperforming the state average. It demonstrates the strongest livability profile in this group of eight counties.
Excellence Across the Board
Scott County excels with the lowest tax burden (1.383% effective rate, tax score 63.4), excellent housing affordability (cost score 85.8, median home value $101,700), and solid income levels (score 31.0, median $73,013). It's a rare county balancing all three economic dimensions well.
Data Gaps Remain
While Scott's economic metrics are exceptional, data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is not yet available. These factors could influence the full livability assessment for some residents.
The Premier Choice Here
Scott County is ideal for families and professionals seeking the best combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and respectable incomes in one location. It's the strongest all-around option for balanced Illinois living.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛63.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.38%, Scott County's effective tax rate is the lowest among Illinois' major counties, placing it in roughly the 20th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,406 is nearly half the national median of $2,690, offering exceptional affordability relative to home values.
Illinois' lowest-taxing county profile
Scott County's 1.38% effective rate ranks among the very lowest in Illinois, well below the state average of 1.83%. This 45-basis-point advantage translates to hundreds in annual savings compared to many Illinois county residents.
Scott leads the region in tax affordability
At 1.38%, Scott's rate substantially undercuts neighboring Rock Island (2.33%), Stark (1.64%), and Schuyler (1.83%) counties. The $1,406 median tax is the lowest in the region, making Scott exceptionally attractive for tax-conscious property owners.
Budget roughly $1,406 yearly
On the median home valued at $101,700, Scott County homeowners typically pay just $1,406 per year in property taxes. Adding mortgage escrow reserves brings the median to $1,794.
Even low rates warrant appeals
Scott's favorable tax environment doesn't guarantee every individual assessment is fair—some homeowners may still be overassessed relative to current market conditions. Filing an appeal is simple and could validate additional savings.
Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of just 11.0% is the lowest in this region and well below the national average, making it exceptionally affordable for renters. With median income of $73,013 nearly matching the national average and rents of only $669, Scott offers rare housing value.
Among Illinois's most affordable counties
Scott County ranks among the state's most affordable markets, with a 11.0% rent-to-income ratio that bests the state average of 14.7%. This advantage reflects both moderate housing costs and solid earning potential relative to comparable Illinois counties.
Lowest rents and fairest home values
Scott's $669 rent is the cheapest in the region—$194 below Rock Island and $265 below Sangamon—while median home values of $101,700 remain reasonable. This combination makes Scott the standout value option for budget-conscious movers.
Only 11% of income to rent
Renters spend just $669 monthly and homeowners $708, consuming only 11.0% and 11.6% of the median $73,013 household income respectively. This leaves Scott County families with the most discretionary income among their peers—a significant advantage for saving and investing.
Scott County: unbeatable value in Illinois
Relocating to Illinois and prioritizing affordability? Scott County delivers the region's best rent-to-income ratio at 11.0%—only $669 monthly on $73,013 median income. Compare this advantage against job availability in your field before choosing.
Scott County's median household income of $73,013 sits just 2.3% below the national median of $74,755. The county comes remarkably close to the national benchmark, indicating a relatively healthy economic position.
Above Illinois State Average
At $73,013, Scott County exceeds Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $4,433 annually, ranking in the upper tier of profiled counties. This performance reflects stronger local economic conditions and workforce earning power.
Second-Highest Income in Region
Scott County's $73,013 median income ranks second only to Sangamon County ($74,114) among the eight counties profiled. The county's per capita income of $36,508 indicates solid individual earning opportunities across the workforce.
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Scott County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio of all profiled counties at just 11.0%, well below the 30% affordability threshold. With a median home value of $101,700, residents enjoy strong housing stability relative to their incomes.
Prime Opportunity to Invest Here
Scott County's combination of solid median income ($73,013) and exceptional housing affordability creates ideal conditions for wealth building. Residents should capitalize on this financial advantage by prioritizing investment accounts, home equity building, and long-term retirement planning.
Scott County's 75.6-year life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, though the county's 14.6% poor or fair health rate—the lowest in this group—signals relatively strong population health. Overall, Scott performs competitively against national benchmarks.
Solid Performance Across Illinois Metrics
Scott County's 75.6-year life expectancy slightly trails Illinois's 76.0-year average, while its 4.9% uninsured rate ranks among the state's best. The county's health profile suggests strong coverage and access relative to statewide patterns.
Strong Health Status with Limited Data
Scott County's 75.6-year life expectancy and 14.6% poor or fair health rate put it in the middle of the regional pack, better than Saline (72.5 years) but behind Sangamon (76.8 years). Provider data is limited, but the low uninsured rate suggests functional healthcare access.
Excellent Coverage, Accessible Care
At 4.9% uninsured, Scott County has exceptional health insurance coverage, among the best in Illinois and well below the state average of 6.3%. Though specific provider counts are unavailable, the high coverage rate indicates most residents can access primary and specialty care.
Keep Your Coverage Strong in Scott
With nearly 95% of Scott County residents insured, the county's healthcare system is thriving—make sure you're part of it. Check your coverage at healthcare.gov and schedule regular preventive care to maintain your health.
Scott County scores just 2.77 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it among the safest counties in Illinois. This score is approximately 95% below the state average of 54.46, indicating exceptionally minimal natural disaster exposure.
Illinois's lowest-risk county
Scott County is effectively the lowest-risk county in Illinois, with its 2.77 composite score surpassing virtually every other county in the state. The county experiences minimal exposure to all major disaster types, from tornadoes to earthquakes to flooding.
Safest in the tri-county area
Scott County's 2.77 score makes it safer than even its very-low-risk neighbors Stark County (7.25) and Schuyler County (11.36). The county's protection extends across all hazard types, reflecting stable geology, predictable weather patterns, and low riverine flood exposure.
Risks remain essentially negligible
Scott County's highest risk remains tornado exposure at 15.24, which is far below state norms and represents a minor threat in practical terms. All other hazards—flood, earthquake, hurricane, and wildfire—score below 10, making natural disaster an extraordinarily rare concern.
Standard coverage meets all needs
Scott County homeowners need only standard homeowners insurance and basic storm preparedness—flood insurance is optional unless in a mapped flood zone. The county's exceptional safety profile allows residents to focus insurance budgets on other priorities with confidence.