CountyScore

Scott County

Kansas · KS

#89 in Kansas
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Scott County, Kansas

Scott scores 29 points above national median

Scott County's composite score of 64.6 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, landing in the 81st percentile nationwide. This reflects strong livability relative to most U.S. counties.

Slightly below Kansas average despite strengths

Scott County scores 64.6, just below the Kansas state average of 66.0, reflecting solid but not top-tier performance within the state. It remains among Kansas's stronger counties overall.

Highest income in this group of eight

Scott County boasts the highest income score of 27.6 among these eight counties, with median household income of $67,788. Combined with a tax score of 59.2 and median home value of $170,100, this creates genuine economic opportunity.

Housing costs moderate but not the most affordable

Scott County's cost score of 77.9 and median gross rent of $861 are reasonable but not exceptional compared to western rural counties. This reflects the trade-off between stronger income potential and slightly higher housing costs.

Great for families wanting income and balance

Scott County suits working families and professionals seeking the best combination of income potential, reasonable taxes, and livable housing costs. It appeals to those who've outgrown the cheapest rural options but want to avoid expensive urban markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.2Cost77.9SafetyComing SoonHealth62.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk53.6WaterComing Soon
🏛59.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.6
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

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Indian River County
Florida
63.1
Median income: $71,049
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Clinton County
Illinois
63.1
Median income: $82,314
Hardin County
Texas
63.1
Median income: $72,532

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 taxes above national average

Scott County's effective tax rate of 1.532% exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing the county in the nation's higher-taxed tier. The median annual tax of $2,606 reflects moderately strong tax collection relative to property values.

Scott ranks 6th among Kansas counties

At 1.532%, Scott County's effective rate slightly exceeds the Kansas state average of 1.549%, putting it squarely in the state's mid-to-upper range. The median home value of $170,100 generates $2,606 in annual property taxes.

Mid-range taxes for the plains region

Scott County's 1.532% rate sits between higher-taxed central Kansas counties (Rush at 1.897%, Rooks at 1.770%, Russell at 1.751%) and lower-taxed neighbors (Saline at 1.328%, Sedgwick at 1.230%). This positions Scott as a moderate-tax alternative in the region.

Expect $2,606 annual tax on median home

Scott County homeowners with a median property valued at $170,100 pay approximately $2,606 yearly in property taxes. With mortgage-related adjustments, that figure can reach $3,342 per year.

Assessment accuracy protects your wallet

Scott County's mid-range effective rate makes verification of your assessed value especially worthwhile—an overestimate could add unnecessary costs. Compare your assessment to recent sales of homes similar to yours within your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scott County

via CostByCounty

Scott County stays near affordability targets

Scott County renters spend 15.2% of income on housing, exceeding the Kansas average of 14.7% but remaining close to the national average of 14.6%. With median rents of $861 and household income of $67,788—the highest among peer rural counties—Scott balances moderate costs with stronger earning power.

Scott ranks solidly mid-range

Scott County holds middle ground in Kansas affordability, with a 15.2% rent-to-income ratio and rents 9% above the state median of $787. The county benefits from higher household incomes than most rural neighbors, easing the housing cost burden despite slightly elevated rents.

Scott balances cost and income well

Scott County's $861 median rent exceeds rural counties like Rooks and Rush, yet Scott households earn $6,000-$8,000 more annually, creating favorable affordability math. This income premium positions Scott as a comfortable middle option between purely rural and mid-sized city housing markets.

Scott households manage housing well

At a median income of $67,788, Scott residents spend roughly $10,332 annually on $861 rent, consuming 15.2% of income and preserving $57,456 for all other needs. Homeowners enjoy similar ease, with $987 monthly costs taking 17.4% of income and median home values at $170,100.

Scott offers rural stability, better incomes

Scott County appeals to rural-inclined relocators with stronger employment prospects and above-average household earnings—plan for rents near $860 or home prices around $170,000. The county's income advantage over smaller neighbors makes it a more resilient choice for families prioritizing financial security.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County Approaches National Income Parity

Scott County's median household income of $67,788 closes within $6,967 of the national median of $74,755, a gap of just 9.3% that makes it one of the stronger-performing rural Kansas counties. Per capita income of $35,206 slightly exceeds national averages, suggesting broad-based earning strength. Scott County's economic performance indicates successful agricultural operations and business activity.

Among Kansas's Highest-Income Counties

Scott County's median household income of $67,788 ranks well above Kansas's state average of $64,428, placing it in the state's top tier of earnings. The county's per capita income of $35,206 also exceeds the state average of $34,748, indicating consistent economic strength across households. Scott County performs better than 75% of the eight-county sample profiled here.

Top Performer Among Peer Rural Counties

Scott County's $67,788 median income exceeds all comparison rural counties except Sedgwick County ($67,675), making it virtually tied for highest earnings in this cohort. The median home value of $170,100 and rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% offer excellent affordability, beaten only by Rush County and Rooks County. Scott County represents the rural ideal: strong incomes, low housing costs, and solid financial foundation.

Strong Income Offsets Housing Affordability

Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% and median home value of $170,100 create excellent affordability for the $67,788 median income. Homebuyers here dedicate approximately 23-26% of gross income to housing—well within comfort zones—leaving substantial income for savings and investment. This favorable ratio, combined with above-average earnings, creates meaningful financial breathing room for families.

Strong Position for Aggressive Wealth Building

Scott County households earning $67,788 with favorable housing costs should maximize retirement savings, invest in 529 college plans, and build taxable investment accounts. At this income level, every dollar directed to tax-advantaged accounts and diversified investments compounds powerfully; target 15-20% of income for long-term wealth building. Consider real estate investment or business expansion opportunities; Scott County's stability provides a platform for entrepreneurial ventures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Scott County

via HealthByCounty

Scott County's health hinges on coverage

At 76.8 years, Scott County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, yet 18.9% report poor or fair health—above national norms. This contradiction suggests residents live longer on average but face higher health burdens while living. A 17.6% uninsured rate—among Kansas's highest—likely drives this pattern.

High health challenges despite longer life

Scott County's 76.8-year life expectancy tops the state average of 75.4 years, but 18.9% poor/fair health exceeds the state median significantly. The 17.6% uninsured rate is among Kansas's worst, suggesting coverage gaps drive day-to-day health struggles. This paradox reflects insurance-related access barriers despite longer lifespans.

Worst coverage in the region

Scott County's 17.6% uninsured rate nearly doubles Russell County's 9.1% and far exceeds Saline's 9.9%, marking it an outlier for lack of coverage. At 18.9% poor/fair health, Scott ranks second-worst in the region behind Seward County (23.3%). Despite adequate provider availability, insurance gaps undermine daily health.

Good providers, poor coverage access

Scott County offers 97 primary care providers and 81 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, competitive by state standards. Yet the 17.6% uninsured rate—triple the state average—means nearly one in five residents cannot access these providers. This coverage crisis creates a two-tiered health system despite adequate provider supply.

Insurance gap threatens your health

Scott County's 17.6% uninsured rate is a health emergency—the highest in this region and far above the state average. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov immediately or contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment; subsidies and Medicaid expansion may cover your family. Coverage transforms access from theoretical to real.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scott County

via RiskByCounty

Scott County moderately below national risk

Scott County scores 46.44 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and below the national average. This profile reflects a balanced hazard exposure across multiple threat categories.

Mid-range risk for Kansas counties

Scott County's 46.44 score exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, but remains well below the highest-risk counties. This positions the county in the moderate-risk range within the state's distribution.

Moderate risk in its region

Scott County's 46.44 score sits between the very-low-risk central Kansas corridor (Russell, Rooks, Rush) and the high-risk eastern tier. It represents a transitional zone where hazard exposure increases compared to immediate western neighbors.

Tornado is the leading hazard

Tornado risk of 38.52 represents Scott County's primary threat, moderate for Kansas but notable nonetheless. Earthquake risk at 21.82 is Scott County's second-highest individual hazard, with wildfire (22.04) and flood (12.09) presenting lesser concerns.

Wind and earthquake coverage recommended

Prioritize tornado and wind coverage in your homeowner's insurance given the 38.52 tornado risk, and consider earthquake insurance given the 21.82 earthquake risk. Standard flood insurance should be evaluated based on property location and elevation relative to flood zones.

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.