countyscore
57.3
County Score
Safety 90Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 77.8

County Report Card

About Scott County, Indiana

Scott County Above National Median

Scott County earns a 57.3 composite score, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This suggests a quality of life that is competitive with the broader American landscape.

Meeting the Indiana Standard

The county's score of 57.3 is slightly higher than the Indiana state average of 55.9. It holds its own in Southern Indiana, offering a unique blend of safety and environmental benefits.

Clean Water and High Safety

Scott County stands out with a Water Score of 86.0 and a Safety Score of 90.0. It is also quite resilient to environmental hazards, reflected in a Risk Score of 77.8.

Economic and Educational Gaps

The county struggles with an Income Score of 24.2 and a Health Score of 26.9, linked to a median income of $54,583. Educational outcomes also face headwinds, with a School Score of 24.3.

A Haven for Nature and Safety

Scott County is a great choice for those who value clean resources and personal safety over high-income career paths. It suits individuals who prefer a secure, low-tax environment with excellent water quality.

Score breakdown

Tax69.7Cost62.5Safety90Health26.9Schools24.3Income24.2Risk77.8Water86Weather59.3
🏛69.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡90
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤26.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓24.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡77.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤59.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨58.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱71.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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Deep Dives

Scott County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Scott County

via TaxByCounty

Scott's taxes fall below national average

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scott County

via CostByCounty

Scott Faces Housing Affordability Strain

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County significantly trails nation

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Scott County

via CrimeByCounty

Scott County Outperforms National Safety Rates

Scott County reports a total crime rate of 204.9 per 100K, far below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a high safety score of 99.7.

Higher Safety Than the State Average

With a safety score of 99.7, Scott County is safer than the average Indiana county score of 98.9. Three agencies contributed data to this positive safety outlook.

Consistently Safe Compared to Peers

Scott County’s rate of 204.9 is much lower than Shelby County’s 1,283.9. It shows slightly more activity than Spencer County but remains very secure for the region.

Violent vs. Property Crime Realities

Violent crime is extremely rare here at 8.2 per 100K, while property crime is slightly higher at 196.7. This means theft or burglary is more common than physical incidents.

Focus on Deterring Property Crime

Since property crime is the primary concern, installing smart doorbells or security cameras is a wise investment. These tools can help keep Scott County's crime rates near historic lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Scott County

via HealthByCounty

Scott County faces critical health crisis

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Scott County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Educational Landscape of Scott County

Scott County operates nine public schools through two districts, catering to 3,944 students. The system is built around five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. This infrastructure is designed to serve the county's concentrated town centers and surrounding areas.

Competitive Results with Strong Support

The county maintains an 88.4% graduation rate, which is higher than the national average of 87.0%. Spending $5,645 per pupil—exceeding the state average of $5,507—helps support its composite school score of 49.8. These figures show a county that is actively investing in student success.

Focused Districts in Scottsburg and Austin

Scott County School District 2 is the largest, enrolling 2,625 students across six schools. Scott County School District 1 serves the Austin community with 1,319 students. There are no charter schools in the county, with all public education managed through these two regional districts.

A Town-Centric School Atmosphere

Unlike many neighboring counties, Scott is town-heavy with six schools in town locales and only three in rural settings. The average school size is 438 students, with Scottsburg Senior High leading at 726 students. Even the smaller schools, like Austin High with 432 students, maintain a vibrant, mid-sized feel.

Make a Home Near Scott County Schools

With graduation rates that beat national norms, Scott County is an attractive spot for growing families. Focus your home search in the Scottsburg or Austin areas to stay close to the county's core academic hubs. Quality education and community involvement make this a reliable area for long-term residency.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scott County

via RiskByCounty

Scott County has below-average disaster risk

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Scott County

via WeatherByCounty

Scott County Experiences Mild Temperate Conditions

Scott County maintains an annual average temperature of 54.9°F, placing it slightly above the national median for temperate regions. This climate supports a standard four-season cycle common in the lower Midwest.

A Warmer Profile Than the State Average

The county's 54.9°F average is significantly warmer than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. It ranks as one of the warmer territories in the southern portion of the state.

Mirroring the Southern Indiana Heat

Scott County is warmer than its northern neighbor Shelby, which averages 53.5°F. It shares a nearly identical climate profile with Sullivan County to the west.

Hot Summers and Moderate Winters

July brings an average of 76.5°F with 29 days hitting or exceeding 90°F. While January averages a chilly 31.9°F, the lack of local snowfall data suggests a focus on ice and frost management.

Prioritize Cooling and Humidity Control

Invest in high-efficiency air conditioning to handle the month's worth of extreme heat days. Since winter averages hover near freezing, ensure your home is sealed against damp, cold drafts.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Scott County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Silt Profiles in Scott

Scott County soils are quite acidic, with an average pH of 5.72, falling below both the state average of 6.08 and the national median of 6.5. This acidity can limit nutrient availability for some plants unless managed with lime. While detailed taxonomic data is limited, the chemical profile suggests a need for active soil care.

Silt-Heavy Ground with Low Sand

The soil composition is dominated by silt at 68.9%, with 18.5% clay and just 12.6% sand. This makes for a very fine-textured soil that can feel slippery when wet and hard when dry. The high silt content is excellent for holding onto moisture, but the lack of sand can lead to poor aeration.

Managing Fertility in Acidic Soil

Organic matter sits at 1.94%, which is just under the national 2.0% average and well below the state 4.90% benchmark. Despite this, the available water capacity is a solid 0.208 inches per inch, slightly better than the state average. This means the soil is good at storing water even if its nutrient levels are lower.

Hydrological Balance and Management

While specific drainage classes are missing from this record, the high silt and low sand levels typically indicate a soil that holds water tightly. This can lead to slow warming in the spring and potential puddling during heavy rains. Gardeners should monitor moisture levels closely to prevent root rot.

Successful Growing in Zone 6b

Scott County sits in Zone 6b, offering a relatively long growing season for the region. To make the most of your garden, focus on plants that tolerate slightly acidic conditions or use lime to raise the pH for vegetables. It is an excellent environment for acid-loving shrubs like azaleas and blueberries.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Scott County

via LawnByCounty

Standard Indiana Growing Conditions

Scott County scores a 71.4 on the lawn difficulty scale, almost exactly matching the Indiana average. In this Zone 6b region, maintaining a lawn is significantly easier than the national median but requires attention to rising summer heat.

Warm Summers and Long Growth

With 29 extreme heat days and 3,858 growing degree days, lawns here face more heat stress than the Indiana average of 20 days. These conditions favor grass types that can withstand sustained temperatures above 90°F.

Managing Acidic Soil Profiles

The soil pH of 5.72 is slightly acidic and below the ideal 6.0 range, suggesting that a lime application may be necessary. While local drainage data is limited, the soil's 18.5% clay content suggests moderate moisture retention.

Consistent Moisture Despite Dryness

Scott County has seen only one week of drought in the past year, though the entire county is currently listed as abnormally dry. Monitoring soil moisture is critical when heat days climb to protect your lawn's root system.

Maximize the Growing Season

Zone 6b is ideal for Turf-Type Tall Fescue, which handles heat better than bluegrass. Start your seeding projects after the April 18 frost to ensure a lush lawn before the fall frost on October 20.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scott County's county score?
Scott County, Indiana has a composite county score of 57.3 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 Indiana?
Scott County ranks #50 among all counties in Indiana 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, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Scott County is $931, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Scott County a tax score of 69.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Scott County?
The median household income in Scott County, Indiana is $54,583 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Scott County earns an income score of 24.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Scott County, Indiana a good place to live?
Scott County scores 57.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #50 in Indiana. 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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