CountyScore

Scott County

Missouri · MO

#94 in Missouri
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Scott County, Missouri

Scott County scores 50% above national median

Scott County's composite score of 74.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals relative to counties nationwide. The score reflects particularly competitive tax and housing advantages.

Matches Missouri's state average

Scott County scores 74.9, virtually identical to Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper range of the state's 114 counties. Performance mirrors statewide patterns on fiscal metrics.

Strong tax advantages and moderate affordability

Scott County excels in tax burden (score: 83.9, effective rate 0.651%—among the lowest) and maintains solid housing affordability (cost score: 81.4) with median homes at $143,700 and rent averaging $809/month. The tax advantage is particularly notable among these counties.

Income potential and data limitations

Scott County's income score of 21.8 reflects a median household income of $58,847, respectable but mid-range among these eight counties. Safety, schools, health, and water quality information remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the livability assessment.

Right for tax-conscious middle-income families

Scott County suits households seeking strong tax efficiency combined with reasonable housing costs and moderate incomes. The county appeals to those who value tax savings and steady, middle-class stability over either exceptional affordability or high earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.9Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk19.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.9
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

Plumas County
California
67
Median income: $64,946
Kootenai County
Idaho
67
Median income: $77,034
Schuyler County
Illinois
67
Median income: $66,059
Johnson County
Indiana
67
Median income: $87,227
Kearny County
Kansas
67
Median income: $74,135

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 fall near state average

Scott County's effective tax rate of 0.651% sits modestly below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, offering residents slightly favorable conditions. The median property tax of $936 is only 35% of the national median of $2,690, placing Scott County in the bottom 40% nationally.

Scott County taxes run slightly below state

Scott County's effective rate of 0.651% is about 11% below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, positioning it in the middle-to-lower tier. The median tax bill of $936 lags the state median of $1,199 by $263, reflecting a modest tax advantage.

Scott balances mid-range among neighbors

Scott County's 0.651% rate places it in the middle of this regional comparison—higher than the low-tax rural counties (Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon) but substantially lower than the high-tax cluster (Ray, Saline, Scotland, Schuyler). This makes Scott a moderate-tax jurisdiction.

Median annual bill: $936

On Scott County's median home value of $143,700, homeowners pay approximately $936 annually in property taxes. Properties with mortgages typically carry $983 in escrow, while owners without mortgages pay $869.

Don't skip assessment review

Scott County homeowners should verify their assessments are accurate, even in a relatively moderate-tax county. If your property is overvalued, filing an appeal can provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Scott County

via CostByCounty

Scott County rents test household finances

Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% exceeds both national and Missouri state averages, with renters dedicating a larger-than-typical share of income to housing costs. At $809 monthly rent against a median household income of $58,847, affordability here is moderately constrained.

Scott County exceeds Missouri's affordability average

Scott County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio surpasses Missouri's 15.6% state average, ranking it in the state's less affordable tier. The county's median income of $58,847 and $809 rent create above-average housing pressures.

Scott County rents run higher than state median

Scott County's $809 rent exceeds the state median of $768, and while the county's $58,847 median income is respectable, it's below several neighboring counties' earning levels. The 16.5% rent-to-income ratio reflects this imbalance.

Housing takes 16.5% of household income

Scott County renters devote 16.5% of their $58,847 annual income to rent—approximately $9,700 yearly—moderately straining household budgets. Home buyers face ownership costs of $823 monthly with median values of $143,700, requiring similar budget discipline.

Scott County requires careful housing budgeting

Scott County suits relocators with flexible budgets or higher incomes than its $58,847 median, as the 16.5% rent-to-income ratio leaves less margin for error. However, the $143,700 median home value and home-buying path may offer better long-term economics than renting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County moderately below national income

Scott County's median household income of $58,847 trails the national median of $74,755 by 21%, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This gap reflects a rural county economy where regional manufacturing and agriculture offer lower wage scales than national urban centers.

Slightly below Missouri's state average

At $58,847, Scott County ranks slightly below Missouri's $59,503 state average, placing it near the middle of the state's 115 counties. Per capita income of $32,341 exceeds the state average of $31,011, suggesting relatively balanced income distribution with some higher-earning households.

Scott County earns in the regional middle range

Scott County ($58,847) sits between lower-income neighbors like Saline ($56,566) and Schuyler ($56,023), but trails higher performers Ray ($72,152) and Scotland ($67,568). This mid-range position reflects modest employer diversity within a rural county setting.

Housing costs require careful budgeting

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% exceeds the healthy 15% benchmark, meaning housing consumes a notable share of household budgets in Scott County. With median home values at $143,700, residents should carefully plan homeownership and monitor rent expenses against income.

Build wealth through disciplined financial planning

Scott County residents earning $58,847 should prioritize budgeting tools and employer retirement benefits to offset tight housing costs and build savings. Per capita income of $32,341 positions individual earners reasonably well for investment in education, skills, and retirement accounts that compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Scott County

via HealthByCounty

Scott County life expectancy trails nationally

At 72.6 years, Scott County residents live 6.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years, marking it among the poorest-performing counties nationally. One-fifth (20.9%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national 21% benchmark and indicating widespread chronic disease burden.

Scott ranks near bottom statewide

Scott County's 72.6-year life expectancy lags Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 1.7 years, placing it in the lower half of Missouri's 114 counties. The 12.6% uninsured rate nearly matches Missouri's 12.5% average, showing no coverage advantage despite health challenges.

Scott struggles amid mixed regional picture

Scott County's 72.6-year life expectancy is the second-lowest among these eight counties, only beating Ripley County (68.4 years) and well below Saline County (74.8 years) just to the north. Its 50 primary care providers per 100K rank second regionally, suggesting capacity is available but may not translate to better outcomes.

Strong mental health, weak overall outcomes

Scott County's 214 mental health providers per 100K is the second-highest in this group, yet its 72.6-year life expectancy is near the bottom, suggesting unmet needs beyond behavioral health. The 12.6% uninsured rate and 50 primary care providers per 100K indicate reasonable access that may not address underlying social determinants of health.

Secure coverage to improve health

Scott County residents facing life expectancy challenges should prioritize healthcare coverage and preventive care. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to explore plans and services that address your family's specific health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Scott County

via RiskByCounty

Scott County faces exceptional tornado and earthquake risks

Scott County's composite risk score of 80.09 far exceeds the national average, representing one of the highest-risk counties in the United States. Tornado risk (89.92) and earthquake exposure (96.15) are particularly extreme, making this a hazard hotspot even by national standards.

Highest-risk county in Missouri

Scott County's 80.09 composite score dramatically exceeds Missouri's 50.56 state average, ranking it as the state's highest-risk county by a significant margin. The county's combined tornado and earthquake exposure is unmatched within Missouri.

Far exceeds risk levels of regional counties

Scott County's 80.09 score towers over neighboring Ray County (44.37), Saline County (51.62), and all other surrounding counties in the region. Its 89.92 tornado score and 96.15 earthquake rating are exceptional even within the broader Midwest context.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate threats

Tornadoes (89.92) and earthquakes (96.15) represent Scott County's two most serious natural hazard threats, both reaching near-extreme exposure levels. Hurricane risk (40.09) and flood risk (48.95) rank distant third and fourth, while wildfire remains minimal (11.29).

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Scott County residents must secure robust tornado and hail insurance with high coverage limits, and earthquake insurance is absolutely critical given the 96.15 exposure score. A reinforced safe room or basement shelter, combined with updated emergency plans and regular insurance reviews, represents the essential foundation of disaster preparedness in this highest-risk Missouri county.

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.