Scott County, Tennessee
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Scott County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Scott County
Income Verdict
Scott County has a median household income of $42,679 and per capita income of $23,544 — a gap of $19,135, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $691/month and a median household income of $42,679, rent consumes approximately 19.4% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
A median household income of $42,679 indicates below-average earnings, which may limit discretionary spending and make households sensitive to cost-of-living increases. Per capita income of $23,544 suggests below-average individual earnings, which may reflect local employment mix or industrial composition.
Neighbor Context
Scott County earns approximately 27.7% below the Tennessee state median household income of $58,994.
Data Story
About Household Income in Scott County, Tennessee
Scott struggles far below national median
Scott County's median household income of $42,679 ranks among the nation's lowest, trailing the national median of $74,755 by $32,076—a 43% shortfall. This represents one of the steepest income challenges in the country.
Scott ranks lowest in Tennessee
Scott County's median household income of $42,679 places it at the bottom of Tennessee's 95 counties, 27.6% below the state average of $58,994. The county faces systemic economic challenges rooted in limited job diversity and educational attainment.
Scott trails all profiled counties
Scott's $42,679 income is the lowest among these eight counties, nearly $20,000 below Sequatchie County ($52,260) and $39,909 below Rutherford County ($82,588). The gap reflects Scott's reliance on limited agricultural and light industrial employment.
Housing costs consume critical income
Scott's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% reflects a precarious housing situation: the median home value of $116,800 still consumes nearly one-fifth of a $42,679 annual income. Many households operate with minimal financial cushion for emergencies or savings.
Start small, prioritize financial stability
Scott County households should prioritize building emergency savings—ideally three months of expenses—before investing in wealth-building vehicles. Explore low-cost community development financial institutions, employer retirement plans with matching, and free financial counseling resources to build wealth progressively.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
See how your household income compares in Scott County
Your income is above the Scott County median
County median: $42,679 per year
vs. County Median
+0%
vs. State Average
-28%
vs. National Median
-43%
Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($3,557) vs. median rent ($691/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.