RANK #772 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 18 MN · POP 154,557
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Scott County, Minnesota, is characterized by its blend of growing communities and natural landscapes, with the Minnesota River forming its northern and western borders. Shakopee, the county seat, is home to attractions like Valleyfair Amusement Park and Canterbury Park. Located southwest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the county offers a suburban and rural feel, with commute times averaging around 24.8 minutes for residents driving alone. The area features an "oak savanna" environment, a mix of grasses and tree clusters, alongside numerous lakes and regional parks such as Cleary Lake and Murphy-Hanrehan, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, biking, and paddling.
Life in Scott County often appeals to families and young professionals, with highly rated public schools across districts like Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and Shakopee Public School District. The economy is diverse, with significant employers including the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which operates Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and other companies like Seagate Technology. The county has experienced substantial population growth and ongoing commercial and industrial development, while still maintaining a rural character. Economic development initiatives focus on supporting businesses and cultivating entrepreneurship, with resources available for various stages of business growth.
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 +1.6% YoY, population +1.1%, wages +6.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.4x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Blue Lake Battery Energy Storage Project
Xcel Energy
|
$271M | Under Construction |
|
Highway 169/Highway 282/CH 9 Interchange
Scott County, City of Jordan, MnDOT
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Dakota Prairie Composting Facility
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
LaunchPad Golf The Meadows
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and LaunchPad Golf
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Shakopee CLT Single-Family Homes (Phase I)
Scott County CDA, K.A. Witt Construction
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Highway 13 Savage to Burnsville Improvement Project
MnDOT, Cities of Savage and Burnsville, Scott and Dakota Counties
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 22/100, Scott County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $119,314 combined with job growth of +1.1% 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 $419,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,568/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Scott County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.54% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Scott County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.