1st Advantage MortgageScott County households have a median income of $44,711 and median rent of $686 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 Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Scott County, TN: the basics
- Income in Scott County compared with Tennessee
- What it costs to live in Scott County
- Work, industries and travel time in Scott County
- Scott County and the counties next door
- Places inside Scott County
- Debt-to-income at Scott County's medians
- More Scott County figures
- Reading the Scott County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Scott County applicants
- Tennessee rules that apply in Scott County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Scott County, TN: the basics
Roughly 22,113 residents live in Scott County, Tennessee, 63rd by population among the state's 95 counties and county equivalents. It covers 532 square miles of land, or about 42 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Scott County is not part of any metropolitan area. Oneida is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 3,819 people (17% of the county total).
Income in Scott County compared with Tennessee
Scott County households have a median income of $44,711 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 92nd of 95 in Tennessee.
| Households earning | Scott County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.6% | +17.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.7% | -10.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.8% | -7.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Scott County households make $100,000 or more, and 42% make less than $35,000. 23.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Scott County median.
What it costs to live in Scott County
Renters in Scott County pay a median of $686 a month, 42% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. Home values center on $124,900, or 2.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 72%. The median year built is 1988.
| Scott County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $686/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $124,900 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | n/a |
Work, industries and travel time in Scott County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 22%. Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward manufacturing (22% against 13%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.5% in Scott County. 28% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.3% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Scott County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.6% | +9.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | -2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -2.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Scott County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 19 to 30 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Anderson County leads the group on income ($66,183), McCreary County trails ($33,750), and Scott County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Scott County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | - | $44,711 | $686/mo | 72% |
| Campbell County, TN | 19 mi | $51,557 | $716/mo | 69% |
| McCreary County, KY | 21 mi | $33,750 | $577/mo | 74% |
| Morgan County, TN | 22 mi | $65,954 | $770/mo | 85% |
| Fentress County, TN | 24 mi | $51,149 | $709/mo | 83% |
| Anderson County, TN | 28 mi | $66,183 | $1,031/mo | 72% |
| Whitley County, KY | 30 mi | $44,615 | $798/mo | 67% |
Places inside Scott County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Scott County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 7,367 residents, leaving about 67% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $48,622 at the median in Oneida, $31,313 in Huntsville. No Scott County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida | town | 3,819 | $48,622 | $824 | 6 mi |
| Huntsville | town | 1,814 | $31,313 | $668 | 1 mi |
| Winfield | town | 1,153 | $34,205 | $690 | 10 mi |
| Elgin | CDP | 347 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Robbins | CDP | 133 | $30,737 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Helenwood | CDP | 101 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
Debt-to-income at Scott County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Scott County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,726 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $686, takes 18% of that
- $916: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Scott County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Scott County figures
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Scott County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.9% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.2% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.7% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 21.6% |
Reading the Scott County data as a borrower
Based on the Scott County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 28% of Scott County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 26% of Scott County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 23% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Scott County loan.
Checklist for Scott County applicants
Steps that save money for Scott County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Tennessee borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Tennessee rules that apply in Scott County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Scott County borrowers answers to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Scott County?
$44,711 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 92nd of 95 in the state.
How does Scott County rent compare with Tennessee?
$686 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 42% below.
Which towns does the Scott County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Oneida, Huntsville, Winfield, Elgin, Robbins.
Will a Scott County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Tennessee as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Scott County residents?
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Tennessee; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.