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Scott County

IA · Pop. 174,302 · Mixed County

29/100Homestead Score

Scott County sits in Iowa across 458 square miles, home to 174,302 people at 380.6 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $213,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.52%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F and average winter lows of 15.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Genesis Medical Center West-Davenport is 7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.52%
Growing Season: 167 days
Broadband: 99.2%
Density: 380.6/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Genesis Medical Center West-Davenport, with an emergency room, is just 7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • At 380.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Scott County, IA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
29/100
Median home price
$213k
Property tax
1.52%
Growing season
167 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
36"
Broadband
99.2%
Nearest hospital
Genesis Medical Center West-Davenport, 7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.52%
Median Household Income$76,363
Poverty Rate11.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$213K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season167 days
Annual Rainfall36 inches
Avg Summer High82°F
Avg Winter Low15.9°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGenesis Medical Center West-Davenport (7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities5

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Scott County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Scott County?
Scott County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F, and average winter lows of 15.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $213,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.52%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Genesis Medical Center West-Davenport is 7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.