CountyScore

Scott County

Minnesota · MN

#85 in Minnesota
63.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Scott County, Minnesota

Above Average, But Below Peers

Scott County scores 63.2, notably above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 26th percentile nationally. While solid, it underperforms relative to its Minnesota counterparts.

Below Minnesota's Benchmark

At 63.2, Scott County trails Minnesota's state average of 70.9 by nearly 8 points, ranking in the lower tier among the state's counties. The gap signals challenges outweighing its assets compared to peers.

High Incomes and Excellent Health

Scott County leads this cohort with a median household income of $120,247 and the highest Health Score of 82.8, reflecting strong job opportunities and healthcare access. The county attracts professionals seeking career advancement and health security.

Housing Costs Far Exceed Neighbors

Median home values of $393,500 and gross rent of $1,485/month are substantially higher than all comparison counties, with a Cost Score of only 51.9. These affordability barriers present the most significant livability constraint.

For High-Income Metro Professionals

Scott County suits affluent families and professionals working in the Twin Cities with six-figure incomes who can absorb premium housing costs. It's Minnesota's choice for those prioritizing career growth and top-tier healthcare over affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.3Cost51.9SafetyComing SoonHealth82.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome61.9Risk23.4WaterComing Soon
🏛72.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠51.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼61.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤82.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.4
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

Floyd County
Georgia
63.2
Median income: $62,540
Henry County
Illinois
63.2
Median income: $69,912
Barton County
Kansas
63.2
Median income: $56,733
Fayette County
Kentucky
63.2
Median income: $67,631
Nantucket County
Massachusetts
63.2
Median income: $119,750

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 exceed national levels

Scott County's effective property tax rate of 1.066% sits well above the national median, and its median property tax of $4,195 towers over the national median of $2,690. This reflects Scott County's position as a prosperous Twin Cities suburb with median home values of $393,500—40% above the national average.

Highest effective rate in Minnesota

Scott County's 1.066% effective rate is the highest in Minnesota, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.968%. Median taxes of $4,195 run nearly double the state average of $2,168, reflecting the county's affluent suburban character.

Scott's taxes far exceed surrounding counties

Scott County's 1.066% rate substantially exceeds Sherburne County's 0.995%, Renville County's 1.016%, and all other regional peers. As a wealthy Twin Cities suburb, Scott County residents pay the steepest property tax bills in the state.

Scott County median home tax: $4,195 yearly

The median home in Scott County is valued at $393,500; at the county's 1.066% effective rate, that homeowner pays approximately $4,195 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders see this climb to $4,271 due to escrow practices.

High-value homes often overassessed in Scott

Scott County's expensive homes are prime candidates for assessment appeals—even a small percentage adjustment saves substantial money. Request a formal reassessment if your property's valuation hasn't reflected recent market corrections or comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scott County

via CostByCounty

Scott County: Prosperity with Price Tag

Scott County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio modestly exceeds Minnesota's 14.5% average, but its wealthy $120,247 median household income—61% higher than the $74,755 national median—absorbs housing costs gracefully. At $1,485 per month, median rent is Minnesota's highest, yet remains manageable for households earning substantially above national norms.

Minnesota's Wealthiest County Cluster

Scott County ranks among Minnesota's most affluent counties, with a median household income that dwarfs the state average and enables premium housing costs to feel sustainable. Its 14.8% rent-to-income ratio, while slightly above state average, reflects a prosperous exurban economy where wages outpace housing inflation.

Scott County's Affluent Positioning

Scott County's $1,485 rent and $393,500 median home value significantly exceed all regional peers, including Sherburne County ($1,151 rent, $332,700 homes) and Rice County ($1,046 rent, $298,500 homes). Only the wealthiest households—those earning Scott's $120,247 median—can comfortably shoulder these costs in this eight-county comparison.

Wealth Makes Expensive Housing Work

Renters pay $1,485 monthly while homeowners carry $1,922, consuming 14.8% and 19.2% of the $120,247 median household income respectively. Scott County households spend more on housing in absolute dollars than any peer, but their incomes are proportionally so much higher that affordability ratios remain acceptable.

Scott County for High-Income Professionals

Earning $120,000 or more? Scott County offers the Twin Cities' most desirable exurban lifestyle with high-quality schools and booming employers. Compare its 14.8% rent-to-income ratio to rural counties where wages stagnate, and you'll see that prosperity here doesn't sacrifice affordability for those at the county's income level.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County far exceeds national income

Scott County's median household income of $120,247 towers 60.8% above the national median of $74,755—among the highest in the country. The county represents one of America's most prosperous communities.

Minnesota's richest county

At $120,247, Scott County dramatically surpasses Minnesota's state average of $75,757, ranking at the top tier of all state counties. The per capita income of $53,499 nearly 36% exceeds the state average of $39,335.

Scott dominates the region

Scott County's $120,247 median income is roughly 45% higher than Sherburne County ($102,965) and more than double most other neighboring counties. The county stands as the undisputed economic powerhouse in south-central Minnesota.

High income, high housing costs

Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% remains near ideal despite the median home value of $393,500—substantially higher than surrounding counties. Strong household incomes successfully support premium housing in this prosperous suburb.

Wealth-building is within reach

Scott County's exceptional $120,247 median income creates extraordinary opportunity for aggressive wealth building and financial independence. With higher discretionary income, residents should prioritize diversified investments, real estate, and long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Scott County

via HealthByCounty

Scott County leads nation in life expectancy

Scott County's 81.1-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 80.3 years by 0.8 years, reflecting exceptional population health and healthcare quality. At 13.6% poor or fair health, Scott County sits below the national average of 15%, indicating strong overall health status. These metrics position Scott among America's healthiest counties.

Minnesota's healthiest county in state comparison

Scott County's 81.1-year life expectancy leads all comparison counties and surpasses Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 2.4 years. The 4.4% uninsured rate ranks among the state's lowest, significantly outperforming the 6.0% state average. This combination reflects both excellent healthcare access and strong community health outcomes.

Scott outperforms comparable Minnesota counties

Scott County's 81.1-year life expectancy far exceeds peers like Renville (77.8 years) and Roseau (77.0 years), representing a 3-4 year advantage. With 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Scott offers solid provider access, though not the highest density regionally. Mental health services at 144 per 100K provide comprehensive behavioral healthcare significantly above rural county averages.

High coverage and strong healthcare infrastructure

Scott County's 4.4% uninsured rate ranks among Minnesota's best, meaning 96% of residents have coverage enabling consistent care access. Primary care provider availability at 49 per 100K supports preventive care and chronic disease management throughout the county. Mental health capacity at 144 providers per 100K enables comprehensive behavioral health support for residents.

Protect your health through active coverage

Scott County's strong health metrics reflect high insurance uptake—maintain your own coverage to benefit from this robust healthcare ecosystem. Check MNsure.org if your coverage is changing or expiring to explore available options. Consistent insurance ensures you maximize access to Scott County's excellent healthcare resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scott County

via RiskByCounty

Scott County faces significant risk

Scott County's composite risk score of 76.56 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating that understates its actual hazard exposure. The county ranks among America's higher-risk areas despite its moderate label.

Well above Minnesota average

At 76.56, Scott County's risk score far surpasses Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it one of the state's more hazard-prone counties. This ranking reflects significant exposure to floods, tornadoes, and wildfire across the county.

Comparable risk to Rice County

Scott County (76.56) sits nearly tied with neighboring Rice County (75.45) as the region's riskiest pair. Only St. Louis County (91.57) carries substantially greater overall disaster risk in Minnesota.

Tornadoes and floods lead threats

Tornadoes represent Scott County's acute danger at 88.96, nearly tied with Rice County as the state's tornado hotspot. Flooding ranks second at 73.03, compounded by wildfire risk (52.00) that exceeds most Minnesota counties.

Invest in comprehensive coverage

Scott County's triple threat of tornadoes, floods, and wildfires demands robust insurance: windstorm riders for tornadoes, NFIP flood insurance, and full homeowners coverage with wildfire provisions. Check your policy exclusions immediately and add coverage gaps before storm season arrives.

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.