Scott County's composite score of 71.7 is 43% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability relative to U.S. communities. Housing affordability and tax efficiency drive this respectable national performance.
2 / 5
Slightly above Indiana average
Scott County ranks 31st among Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 71.7, modestly above the state average of 71.2. This competitive positioning reflects balanced performance across livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Most affordable rental market
Scott County offers exceptional rental affordability at $790/month with reasonable home values of $145,400 (cost score: 82.6) and low taxes at 0.640% effective rate (tax score: 84.3). Strong environmental resilience with a risk score of 77.8 protects against natural hazards.
4 / 5
Lowest incomes in region
The income score of 19.0 is among Indiana's weakest, reflecting median household income of just $54,583—the lowest among these eight counties. Health score of 60.0 is also the lowest, indicating limited medical services or preventive care access.
5 / 5
Best for low-income renters
Scott County serves renters and working-class families with tight budgets who need the lowest possible housing costs and minimal tax burden. The trade-off is limited income potential and fewer health services, making it suited for those prioritizing affordability above all else.
Scott County's composite score of 71.7 is 43% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability relative to U.S. communities. Housing affordability and tax efficiency drive this respectable national performance.
Slightly above Indiana average
Scott County ranks 31st among Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 71.7, modestly above the state average of 71.2. This competitive positioning reflects balanced performance across livability dimensions.
Most affordable rental market
Scott County offers exceptional rental affordability at $790/month with reasonable home values of $145,400 (cost score: 82.6) and low taxes at 0.640% effective rate (tax score: 84.3). Strong environmental resilience with a risk score of 77.8 protects against natural hazards.
Lowest incomes in region
The income score of 19.0 is among Indiana's weakest, reflecting median household income of just $54,583—the lowest among these eight counties. Health score of 60.0 is also the lowest, indicating limited medical services or preventive care access.
Best for low-income renters
Scott County serves renters and working-class families with tight budgets who need the lowest possible housing costs and minimal tax burden. The trade-off is limited income potential and fewer health services, making it suited for those prioritizing affordability above all else.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Scott County's effective tax rate of 0.640% ranks in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $931 is roughly one-third the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below Indiana's state average
At 0.640%, Scott County's effective rate sits just below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the state's middle-lower range. The median tax of $931 falls well below the state median of $1,199, thanks to relatively modest home values of $145,400.
Most affordable in the region
Scott's 0.640% rate is the lowest among Posey (0.628%), Randolph (0.831%), and Rush (0.650%) counties, and home values of $145,400 are the region's most affordable. This combination delivers the region's lowest absolute tax bills for median-value homes.
Your annual Scott property tax bill
On a median home valued at $145,400, the annual property tax is $931 (about $78 monthly). Homeowners with mortgages average $1,214; those without, approximately $652.
Confirm your assessment accuracy
Even in Scott County's relatively affordable tax environment, assessment errors can increase your bill unnecessarily. Request your property assessment from the county assessor and compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.
Scott County renters spend 17.4% of income on housing—above Indiana's 15.6% state average and notably above the national affordability comfort zone. With the region's lowest median household income at $54,583, Scott residents face the greatest housing cost pressure in this analysis.
Indiana's Most Strained Housing Market
Scott County ranks as one of Indiana's least affordable counties for renters, with a 17.4% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points. This is driven by both lower incomes and moderate rent levels, creating a challenging affordability picture.
Lowest Incomes, Moderate Rents
Scott's $790 rent is reasonable compared to peers, but its $54,583 median income is substantially lower than any county in this analysis, creating the worst affordability ratio. Compared to Pulaski County's similar rent on 10% higher income, Scott residents face genuine financial strain.
Housing Dominates the Budget
Scott renters spend $790 monthly from a median income of just $4,549 per month, leaving only 82.6% of earnings for all other expenses after housing. Homeowners pay $762 monthly on properties worth $145,400, but lower incomes make ownership harder to achieve and maintain.
Scott Requires Careful Financial Planning
Scott County's affordability challenges mean relocating here works only if you bring above-county-median income or have substantial savings. Consider Pulaski, Randolph, or Ripley counties if housing affordability is essential to your relocation decision.
Scott County's median household income of $54,583 falls 27.0% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-income counties nationwide. Households here earn roughly $20,000 less than the typical American family.
Lowest earner in Indiana
Scott County ranks substantially below Indiana's median household income of $68,681, with a gap of $14,098 (20.5%). The county's per capita income of $29,123 is the lowest among comparable Indiana counties, reflecting widespread income challenges.
Severe regional income disadvantage
Scott County's $54,583 median income ranks last in its region, trailing even Randolph County ($61,121) and Rush County ($64,393) by significant margins. The county faces steep competition for economic opportunity compared to all neighboring areas.
Housing cost crisis
Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% severely exceeds the 15% affordability threshold, squeezing household budgets dangerously. Even the median home value of $145,400 remains challenging to afford given the county's depressed income levels.
Build wealth strategically
Facing significant income constraints, Scott County residents should prioritize no-cost or low-cost wealth-building tools: seek out free financial counseling, utilize employer retirement matches, and explore community development resources. Every dollar saved matters—automate even small transfers to build momentum.
At 69.1 years, Scott County's life expectancy is 7.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a gap indicating severe health disparities. Nearly one in four residents (23.6%) reports poor or fair health, significantly exceeding the national average of 17.4%.
Worst health outcomes in Indiana
Scott County ranks at the bottom of Indiana's 92 counties for life expectancy at just 69.1 years, trailing the state average of 75.1 years by 6 years. Its 23.6% poor/fair health rate is the highest statewide and far exceeds Indiana's 18.2% average.
Dramatically worse than surrounding counties
Scott County's life expectancy of 69.1 years is catastrophically lower than all adjacent counties, with a 6-year gap versus Randolph County (73.8 years) and an 8-year gap versus Posey County (78.3 years). The county's health crisis is unmatched in the region.
Despite providers, health is declining
Scott County has 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and strong mental health capacity at 93 providers per 100,000, yet residents remain deeply unwell. At 8.6% uninsured, coverage is not the primary barrier—underlying social and health determinants drive poor outcomes.
Get covered and engage with care
Scott County has providers and most residents have insurance, but urgent action is needed to improve health. If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov immediately; if covered, engage with local primary care and mental health services to address the county's critical health crisis.
With a composite risk score of 22.26, Scott County is rated "Very Low" and sits well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Exceptionally low flood (23.92) and wildfire (6.14) risks help drive this strong safety profile.
Among Indiana's safest counties
Scott County's 22.26 score is significantly below Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the safest tier of Indiana's counties. Its overall risk rank is in the bottom third statewide.
Safe compared to eastern neighbors
Scott County's risk profile is noticeably lower than neighboring Clark and Jefferson counties, which face higher tornado and earthquake exposures. Its tornado risk of 72.65 is elevated within the county but still moderate compared to state leaders like Ripley.
Tornado is the primary seasonal concern
Tornado risk at 72.65 is Scott County's most significant hazard and should drive spring severe weather preparedness throughout the county. Earthquake risk of 64.12 is moderate but lower than many Indiana counties.
Standard coverage handles most risks
Scott County's low overall risk profile means most residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without additional specialty policies. Maintain a weather radio and simple tornado plan as basic annual preparation for spring storm season.