RANK #254 / 996 · POP 174,315 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
Scott County, Iowa, is distinguished by its position along the Mississippi River, forming a significant part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area, which bridges Iowa and Illinois. Davenport, the county seat and largest city, is one of Iowa's oldest cities, incorporated in 1838. The county offers a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, with the Mississippi River to its east and south, and the Wapsipinicon River to its north. Outdoor recreation is accessible through thousands of acres maintained by the Scott County Conservation Board, including Scott County Park, which features camping, trails, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Life in Scott County offers a mix of urban and rural living options, from downtown loft apartments in Davenport to homes in quieter countryside settings. The community is served by four main school districts—Davenport, Bettendorf, North Scott, and Pleasant Valley—along with several rural and private schools. The economy is driven by diverse sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and food processing. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and ongoing efforts to attract new industries, with a focus on expanding existing businesses and developing industrial parks.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center
Meta (Vemerald LLC)
|
$800M | Proposed |
|
Wind Farm (20,000 acres across Scott, Cedar, and Muscatine counties)
Triple Oak Power
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Hickory Grove Generating Station (Natural Gas Power Plant)
Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO)
|
$240M | Proposed |
|
Sub 56 Davenport 161 kV Substation (Solar Project)
Undisclosed
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Scott County has a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, ranking #254 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $72,792, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Scott County is $198,000 with median rent at $919/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3676, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +2.9% in the past 12 months.