Scott County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Scott County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 21,969. It is the 63rd most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Scott County is 40.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Scott County is $42,679. This is 36% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Scott County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Scott County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.5%.