1st Advantage MortgageScott County households have a median income of $56,352 and median rent of $822 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Indiana before sharing details.
On this page
- Population and place: Scott County
- The Scott County housing market in figures
- Scott County at the extremes
- Employment and commuting in Scott County
- Household income in Scott County
- Places inside Scott County
- Scott County, Clark County and other neighbors
- Scott County demographics against Indiana
- Borrowing situations common in Scott County
- Room for a loan payment in Scott County
- Verifying a lender from Scott County
- Steps before you apply in Scott County
- Beyond Scott County
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Scott County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Scott County's population at 24,526; only 62 of Indiana's 92 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 190 square miles, that is close to 129 residents for every square mile of land. Metro status: none; Scott County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Scottsburg is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 7,362 people (30% of the county total).
The Scott County housing market in figures
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $822 in Scott County versus $1,062 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $158,400, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 71%. The median year built is 1983. Against the median U.S. county, Scott County rent is 6% below.
| Measure | Scott County | Indiana | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $822/mo | $1,062/mo | 23% lower |
| Median home value | $158,400 | $218,200 | 27% lower |
| Owners | 71% | 71% | +0.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | -4.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | +1.4 pts |
| Mobile homes | 16.6% | 4.4% | +12.3 pts |
Scott County at the extremes
Out of every Indiana county, Scott County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the uninsured rate, Scott County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 3.3%, 2nd lowest of 92. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Scott County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 13%, 5th lowest of 92. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Few Indiana counties match Scott County on the share of mobile homes: 16.6% here, 4.4% for the state, ranking 7th highest of 92. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
Employment and commuting in Scott County
Manufacturing (31%), education and health care (20%) and retail trade (11%) lead Scott County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 31% locally and 18% for Indiana. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 3.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Scott County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 30.7% | +12.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | +0.1 pts |
| Public administration | 6.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Construction | 5.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.3% | -4.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Scott County
Scott County households have a median income of $56,352 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 85th of 92 in Indiana.
| Households earning | Scott County | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.5% | +11.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.1% | -3.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -4.2 pts |
35% under $35,000 and 25% at $100,000 or more: that is the Scott County income split. Scott County counts about 4,062 residents below the poverty line, 16.6% of the population. For a borrower in Scott County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Places inside Scott County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Scott County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 11,180 people, so roughly 54% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Scott County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsburg | city | 7,362 | $38,578 | $831 | 2 mi |
| Austin | city | 3,818 | $31,520 | $677 | 5 mi |
Scott County, Clark County and other neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Clark County at 14 miles out to Jennings County at 23. Scott County's $56,352 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $64,577 (Jefferson County) to $74,214 (Clark County). Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Scott County resident follows Indiana rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | - | $56,352 | $822/mo | 71% |
| Clark County, IN | 14 mi | $74,214 | $1,129/mo | 75% |
| Jefferson County, IN | 18 mi | $64,577 | $890/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, IN | 20 mi | $64,641 | $780/mo | 82% |
| Trimble County, KY | 22 mi | $66,027 | $863/mo | 80% |
| Jackson County, IN | 22 mi | $70,262 | $1,004/mo | 73% |
| Jennings County, IN | 23 mi | $69,322 | $988/mo | 79% |
Scott County demographics against Indiana
In Scott County, 13% of adults have at least a four-year degree (29% in Indiana). Uninsured, Scott County: 3.3%; Indiana: 7.4%.
| Scott County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | +2.7 yrs | -0.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.7% | -16.8 pts | -9.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.8% | +5.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.3% | -4.1 pts | -4.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | -2.7 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Work from home | 7.4% | -3.3 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.6% | +4.2 pts | +3.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | -1.0 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Commute length | Scott County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Scott County
A few patterns in the Scott County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Scott County borrower sees (free reports).
Room for a loan payment in Scott County
Here is the Scott County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,696 gross per month ($56,352 / 12)
- Less median rent of $822, which is 18% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $869 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,197 a month
If your rent is above $822, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Verifying a lender from Scott County
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Indiana license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Indiana: Indiana personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Scott County
Steps that save money for Scott County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Scott County credit union about member loans.
Beyond Scott County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $56,352 a good income in Scott County?
It is the county median, so half of Scott County households earn more and half less; 25% earn $100,000 or more.
Can a Scott County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $822 median rent and $4,696 median monthly income, rent alone uses 18%; add other debts before a new payment.
I own my home in Scott County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Scott County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Scottsburg, Austin.
Is the fit check different in Scott County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.