RANK #743 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 19 KY · POP 59,536
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Scott County, Kentucky, is often recognized for Georgetown, its county seat, which is home to the largest Toyota manufacturing plant in the world. Located in central Kentucky, just 12 miles north of Lexington, the county offers a blend of small-town character with access to a larger city. The landscape features gently rolling hills, horse farms, and more densely wooded areas to the north, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, and kayaking along Elkhorn Creek. The Georgetown-Scott County Parks & Recreation Department maintains over 500 acres across 11 park sites, including recreation centers, walking trails, and aquatic facilities. Life in Scott County is characterized by a strong sense of community, with many families and young professionals residing there. The public school system is considered above average. The economy is largely driven by manufacturing, with the automotive plant being a major employer. There is also a growing healthcare sector and a focus on attracting new businesses and talent. Recent developments include infrastructure improvements in downtown Georgetown and the expansion of business parks to support diverse employers.
Scott County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.9% YoY, population +2.2%, wages +4.6%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Expansion
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
|
$800M | Under Construction |
|
Pearl River Solar Park
Pearl River Solar Park
|
$235M | Completed |
|
Lanes Run Business Park Phase III Expansion
Scott County United, City of Georgetown, Scott County Fiscal Court
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 25/100, Scott County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $85,158 combined with job growth of -0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Scott County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $288,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,247/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Scott County's population is growing — up +2.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +3.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.39% of Scott County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.