1st Advantage MortgageThe median Scott County household earns $78,277, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Scott County
- How much Scott County households make
- How Scott County residents earn a living
- What it costs to live in Scott County
- How Scott County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Scott County
- Who lives in Scott County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Scott County
- Budget math at the Scott County median
- Lender oversight for Scott County
- Checklist for Scott County applicants
- More guides for Scott County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Scott County
With an estimated 174,608 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Scott County ranks 3rd of 99 in Iowa for population. It covers 458 square miles of land, or about 381 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 20 places in the county (16 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Davenport, with about 100,913 residents, or 58% of the county.
How much Scott County households make
At $78,277, the typical Scott County household income is 19% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 16th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Scott County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.6% | +1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.1% | +1.5 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. 11.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.452 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Scott County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Scott County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Scott County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 15% for Iowa. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Scott County. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. 6.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Scott County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | -0.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What it costs to live in Scott County
Renters in Scott County pay a median of $1,005 a month, 3% above the Iowa figure of $972. By the Census definition, 47% of Scott County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $222,000, or 2.8 years of median income. 70% of Scott County households own their home and 30% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1972.
| Home costs | Scott County | Iowa | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,005/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $222,000 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | n/a |
How Scott County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 12 to 32 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Scott County; Cedar County is highest at $80,602 and Clinton County lowest at $66,981. The list crosses into Illinois, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | - | $78,277 | $1,005/mo | 70% |
| Rock Island County, IL | 12 mi | $67,159 | $889/mo | 70% |
| Clinton County, IA | 18 mi | $66,981 | $850/mo | 75% |
| Cedar County, IA | 28 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
| Muscatine County, IA | 28 mi | $69,396 | $971/mo | 74% |
| Mercer County, IL | 31 mi | $74,182 | $786/mo | 84% |
| Henry County, IL | 32 mi | $71,911 | $842/mo | 80% |
The communities that make up Scott County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 20 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 93% of Scott County residents live in one of the 20. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $66,200 in Davenport to $125,329 in Long Grove. Rent is cheapest in Princeton ($600) and steepest in Le Claire ($1,563). Live in one of these Scott County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | city | 100,913 | $66,200 | $978 | 6 mi |
| Bettendorf | city | 39,647 | $100,495 | $1,187 | 9 mi |
| Eldridge | city | 6,818 | $106,316 | $945 | 2 mi |
| Le Claire | city | 4,735 | $104,844 | $1,563 | 13 mi |
| Park View | CDP | 2,437 | $113,409 | $867 | 6 mi |
| Blue Grass | city | 1,972 | $92,981 | $1,229 | 12 mi |
| Walcott | city | 1,725 | $78,580 | $787 | 9 mi |
| Buffalo | city | 1,097 | $69,728 | $804 | 15 mi |
| Princeton | city | 794 | $87,188 | $600 | 14 mi |
| Long Grove | city | 793 | $125,329 | $989 | 4 mi |
| McCausland | city | 397 | $62,143 | $1,269 | 11 mi |
| Riverdale | city | 396 | $95,000 | $1,600 | 11 mi |
| Donahue | city | 390 | $104,063 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Maysville | city | 220 | $71,429 | $625 | 5 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Who lives in Scott County, in numbers
College graduates make up 37% of the adult population. 5.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Scott County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.6% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.9% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Scott County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 49.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Before borrowing in Scott County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Scott County borrowers.
- 47% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Budget math at the Scott County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Scott County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,523 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,005, which is 15% of it
- $1,278: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,930 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Scott County's.
Lender oversight for Scott County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Scott County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Checklist for Scott County applicants
A short checklist for Scott County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Scott County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Scott County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Scott County?
$78,277 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,059 for Iowa. It ranks 16th of 99 in the state.
Is Scott County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,005 against $972 statewide, and 47% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Scott County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 20 Census places: Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, Le Claire, Park View.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Scott County or elsewhere in Iowa, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Scott County check a lender's license?
With the Iowa Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.