1st Advantage MortgageThe median Scott County household earns $46,349, and 20% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Scott County by the numbers
- How Scott County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Scott County
- What it costs to live in Scott County
- Towns and communities in Scott County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Scott County
- Before borrowing in Scott County
- Budget math at the Scott County median
- Four steps for Scott County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Scott County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Scott County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Scott County's population at 21,479; only 78 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. It covers 536 square miles of land, or about 40 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (6 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Gate City, with about 1,928 residents, or 9% of the county.
How Scott County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Scott County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.8% in Scott County. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 7.6% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Scott County workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.4% | +11.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +2.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Public administration | 8.3% | -0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Scott County
Scott County households have a median income of $46,349 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 127th of 133 in Virginia.
| Yearly household income | Scott County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.3% | +20.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.3% | -11.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -15.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Scott County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. Census counts 20.2% of Scott County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.476 here. 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.
What it costs to live in Scott County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $699 in Scott County versus $1,579 statewide. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. With a median value of $143,000, a typical Scott County house costs 3.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 77%. The median home was built in 1975, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Scott County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $699/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,000 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 25% | n/a |
Because most Scott County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Towns and communities in Scott County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Scott County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 4,455 residents, leaving about 79% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City | town | 1,928 | $42,857 | $660 | 5 mi |
| Weber City | town | 1,504 | $47,778 | $861 | 7 mi |
| Nickelsville | town | 368 | $46,250 | $746 | 11 mi |
| Dungannon | town | 316 | $19,688 | $569 | 11 mi |
| Hiltons | CDP | 217 | $42,866 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Duffield | town | 78 | $86,875 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Clinchport | town | 44 | $32,500 | $625 | 8 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Norton city at 15 miles out to Lee County at 29. Income ranges from $41,495 in Norton city to $58,807 in Sullivan County; 4 of these neighbors top Scott County's median. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Scott County resident follows Virginia rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | - | $46,349 | $699/mo | 77% |
| Norton city, VA | 15 mi | $41,495 | $692/mo | 50% |
| Wise County, VA | 18 mi | $52,943 | $790/mo | 74% |
| Sullivan County, TN | 22 mi | $58,807 | $889/mo | 72% |
| Hawkins County, TN | 25 mi | $56,936 | $785/mo | 80% |
| Bristol city, VA | 26 mi | $50,404 | $801/mo | 64% |
| Lee County, VA | 29 mi | $41,827 | $738/mo | 73% |
People and households in Scott County
16% of Scott County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Scott County | Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.6% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.2% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Scott County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.0% |
| 60+ min | 7.9% |
Before borrowing in Scott County
Based on the Scott County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Keeping the car running. At 22% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Scott County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 20% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 48, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Budget math at the Scott County median
How much room does a median Scott County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Scott County: $3,862
- Rent at the median, $699, takes 18% of that
- $691: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for Scott County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Scott County-area credit union.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for Scott County residents
Consumer lenders serving Scott County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Virginia: Virginia personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Scott County household make?
About $46,349 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 50% below the Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Scott County?
$699 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
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 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Gate City?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Scott County, such as Weber City, Nickelsville, Dungannon.
Does living in Scott County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Scott County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.