Scott
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Scott County in numbers, start here: violent crime is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (5.2%), and the property tax rate is in the top 12% of American counties (1.57%). Within Iowa it ranks 5th of 99 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Scott County, Iowa. 174,315 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +35).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $72,792 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,138. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,766 a year.

Home

The median home costs $250K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $950 a month. Property tax is 1.57% of home value, roughly $3,108 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 98% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.0 years, longer than 75% of American counties. There are 544 active physicians in the county, about 31.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 5.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 68% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 4 points. 72% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 70% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 248 Mbps down, faster than 73% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 7 museums.