countyscore
44.5
County Score
Cost of Living 67.3Water Quality 65.8Property Tax 64.4

County Report Card

About Scott County, Mississippi

Scott County Ranks Below National Median

A composite score of 42.8 places Scott County below the national benchmark of 50.0. It provides a standard rural living profile with specific infrastructure strengths.

Consistent with Mississippi Rural Trends

The county's 42.8 score is slightly behind the state average of 48.4. It remains competitive through affordable housing and reliable water infrastructure.

Stable Infrastructure and Housing Value

Scott County performs well in cost (66.5) and water quality (65.8). Home values are remarkably low at $89,900, making property ownership accessible for most residents.

Health and School Improvements Needed

Both health and school scores sit at a low 9.7, indicating a need for better public services. The income score of 11.9 also reflects a need for more diverse job opportunities.

Best for Entry-Level Homeownership

Scott County suits individuals looking to buy their first home in a stable, quiet environment. It offers essential infrastructure at a price point well below state averages.

2040608010064.467.3649.79.79.644.165.848.1Tax64.4Cost67.3Safety64Health9.7Schools9.7Income9.6Risk44.1Water65.8Weather48.144.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Scott County DNA

Foverall

How Scott County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Scott County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (67.3/100) but notably weak in Schools (9.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
64.4+12.400000000000006
Cost
67.3+19.299999999999997
Safety
64+9
Health
9.7-40.3
Schools
9.7-44.3
Income
9.6-41.4
Risk
44.1
Water
65.8
Weather
48.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$106,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$888/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$106,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $48,786/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

43.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Baker County
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Median income: $79,836
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Median income: $82,243
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Evans County
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Laclede County
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Deschutes County
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Lancaster County
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Columbia County
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Matanuska-Susitna Borough
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Nearby counties

Leake County
Mississippi
49.8
Rankin County
Mississippi
53.8
Madison County
Mississippi
46.1
Newton County
Mississippi
57.9
Smith County
Mississippi
61.7
Neshoba County
Mississippi
40.2
Simpson County
Mississippi
54.5
Attala County
Mississippi
47.2

Deep Dives

Scott County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Scott County

via TaxByCounty

Scott County taxes well below national levels

Scott County's 0.799% effective tax rate sits below the national median of 2.69%, ranking in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $718 on a median home value of $89,900 is less than 27% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly above Mississippi average

At 0.799%, Scott County exceeds the state average of 0.743% by about 7%, placing it in the middle range of Mississippi counties. Homeowners pay roughly $140 more annually than the state median tax of $931.

Mid-range rates in central Mississippi

Scott County's 0.799% rate sits between lower-tax Rankin (0.620%) and higher-tax Pike (0.929%) counties. It represents a moderate tax burden for central Mississippi homeowners.

Median annual tax: $718

On Scott County's median home value of $89,900, property owners pay approximately $718 per year, or roughly $59.83 monthly. Those with mortgages average $886 annually.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Scott County residents should verify that their assessed values reflect current market conditions and comparable sales. If your property appears overvalued, contact the assessor's office about filing a formal reassessment appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scott County

via IncomeByCounty

Scott County falls short of national average

Scott County's median household income of $48,492 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 35%, a gap of $26,263 per household annually. This income deficit is typical for rural Mississippi counties lacking major metropolitan employment centers.

Near Mississippi's state median income

Scott County earns essentially at Mississippi's state median of $48,514, just $22 below the statewide average. This alignment positions Scott County as representative of the typical Mississippi county in terms of household earnings.

Middle performer among surrounding counties

Scott County's $48,492 income sits between Sharkey County ($35,741) and Simpson County ($54,111), establishing it as a moderate earner in central Mississippi. Its per-capita income of $23,915 trails Simpson's $29,599, suggesting less evenly distributed economic resources.

Housing costs manageable but require attention

Scott County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% stays within reasonable bounds, though it consumes nearly a quarter of household earnings. A median home value of $89,900 remains accessible, enabling homeownership without straining household budgets.

Build incremental savings and investment habits

Scott County households earning $48,492 should establish automatic savings of 10–15% directed to emergency reserves and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly investments in low-cost index funds can generate meaningful wealth over 20–30 years, creating financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Scott County

via CrimeByCounty

Scott County far exceeds national safety rates

Scott County reports a total crime rate of 837.4 per 100,000, which is nearly three times lower than the national average. The county achieves a strong safety score of 98.7.

Safety performance better than the state average

At 98.7, Scott County is slightly safer than the average Mississippi county. It maintains a secure profile despite being part of a busy regional transport area.

Scott sits in the middle of regional peers

Scott's crime rate of 837.4 is lower than Pike County's 1007.5 but higher than Rankin's 293.3. It occupies a middle ground for safety among its regional peers.

Low violent crime rates benefit residents

The property crime rate of 619.1 is the main driver of local statistics, while violent crime sits at 218.3. Both figures remain well under the national benchmarks for these categories.

Simple deterrents prevent property crime

Residents can support local safety by ensuring homes are well-lit and valuables are kept out of sight. Simple deterrents often prevent the opportunistic property crimes most common in the area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Scott County

via WeatherByCounty

A Typical Humid Subtropical Environment

Scott County's annual average temperature is 63.3°F, sitting nearly 10 degrees above the national median. It features the consistent warmth and high humidity typical of the American South.

Matching the Mississippi State Average

The county's 63.3°F average is almost identical to the Mississippi state average of 63.9°F. It serves as a benchmark for the climate found in the heart of the state.

Consistent Heat Across the Region

Scott County sees 74 days of extreme heat, fewer than neighboring Rankin's 85 days but more than Pontotoc's 52. While local precipitation data is unavailable, the county shares the regional pattern of heavy humidity.

Seventy-Four Days of Peak Heat

July temperatures average 79.2°F, contributing to a total of 74 days above 90°F annually. Winters remain mild with a December-February average of 47.7°F.

Focus on Summer Heat Mitigation

With 74 extreme heat days, residents should prioritize home cooling and energy efficiency. The mild 47.7°F winter average means outdoor maintenance can continue comfortably through most of the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Scott County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Interior Mississippi Acidity

Scott County features a soil pH of 5.13, which is more acidic than the state average of 5.30 and much lower than the 6.5 national median. The county earns a soil score of 31.9, placing it slightly below the state average of 35.7. This acidity is typical for the forested and agricultural lands of central Mississippi.

Sandy-Silt Mix with Clay Support

The soil is a balanced blend of 40.9% sand and 42.1% silt, with 17.0% clay providing essential structure. This mixture offers good physical properties, as the sand aids drainage while the clay helps retain nutrients. It is a versatile texture that works well for both large-scale timber and smaller gardening projects.

Competitive Water Capacity

The soil's available water capacity of 0.177 in/in is slightly higher than the state average of 0.174 in/in. Organic matter content is 1.73%, trailing the state average of 1.81% by just a small margin. These numbers indicate a soil that is relatively resilient during the dry spells common in central Mississippi.

Hydrology and Soil Management

Data regarding specific drainage classes and taxonomic orders is limited for Scott County. The 40.9% sand content generally supports decent drainage, preventing most agricultural fields from becoming chronically waterlogged. Maintaining a consistent cover crop can help protect the silty portions of the soil from washing away.

Garden Readiness in Zone 8b

In hardiness zone 8b, Scott County growers enjoy a nearly year-round season for many hardy plants. The soil is well-suited for pine timber and, with pH adjustments, can produce excellent okra and watermelons. It is a great time to start a garden and take advantage of the county's solid water capacity.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Scott County

via LawnByCounty

Scott County's Favorable Growing Environment

With a lawn difficulty score of 37.6, Scott County is easier to manage than the Mississippi average of 30.9. While it still presents more hurdles than the national median of 50.0, the conditions are relatively friendly for Zone 8b. Success here starts with understanding the local soil and heat cycles.

Summer Heat and Growing Cycles

Scott County experiences 74 extreme heat days per year, mirroring the state average. While specific local precipitation data is unavailable, nearby areas suggest a wet climate that supports 5455 growing degree days. This combination creates a standard Southern growing season that peaks in the mid-summer months.

Sandy Soils and Acidic pH Management

The soil is relatively sandy at 40.9%, which ensures good drainage but may require more frequent fertilization. A soil pH of 5.13 is quite acidic and will need regular monitoring and lime adjustments to support turf health. This soil profile is generally easy to work with but lacks the natural buffering of high-clay soils.

Recent Dryness Requires Vigilance

Scott County had only 3 weeks of drought over the past year, but 79.0% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Homeowners should be prepared to irrigate during these dry spells to prevent turf dormancy. Efficient watering in the early morning helps combat the high evaporation rates caused by the 74 annual heat days.

Spring Start for Scott County Lawns

Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses are excellent choices for the warm Zone 8b climate in Scott County. Plan your major lawn projects for after the last spring frost on March 28 for the best results. The first frost usually arrives around November 2, signaling the end of the active maintenance season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scott County's county score?
Scott County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 44.5 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 Mississippi?
Scott County ranks #58 among all counties in Mississippi 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, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Scott County is $710, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Scott County a tax score of 64.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Scott County?
The median household income in Scott County, Mississippi is $48,786 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Scott County earns an income score of 9.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Scott County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Scott County scores 44.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #58 in Mississippi. 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.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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