Scott County, Iowa

Scott County, Iowa
County
The newly redesigned courthouse entrance in 2007
The Scott County Courthouse in Davenport in 2012
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 41°38′31″N 90°37′20″W / 41.642079°N 90.622289°W / 41.642079; -90.622289
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedDecember 21, 1837
Named afterWinfield Scott
SeatDavenport
Largest cityDavenport
Area
 • Total
468.211 sq mi (1,212.66 km2)
 • Land458.101 sq mi (1,186.48 km2)
 • Water10.110 sq mi (26.18 km2)  2.16%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
174,669
 • Estimate 
(2024)
175,601
 • Density381.289/sq mi (147.217/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code563
Congressional district1st
Websitescottcountyiowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 82[1]

Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 174,669,[2] and was estimated to be 175,601 in 2024,[3] making it the third-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat the largest city is Davenport.[4]

Scott County is included in the Davenport–Moline-Rock Island, IA–IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Scott County was formed on December 21, 1837.[5]

The first American settlement in the area now known as Scott County was Clark's Ferry or Clark's Landing (now Buffalo) in 1833. Other early towns included Davenport (now the county seat and largest city) and the town of Rockingham (which ceased to exist in 1847). The area was fully surveyed in 1837, and the county was established by the Wisconsin territorial legislature in that same year. Scott County is named for General Winfield Scott,[6] who was the presiding officer at the signing of the peace treaty ending the Black Hawk War.

By 1900 the population of the county was 51,500, and by 1950 it was over 100,000. Scott County now comprises part of the Quad City region, which includes the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf (in Iowa) and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline (in Illinois).

The present Scott County Courthouse was completed in 1955 and expanded along with the jail in 2007.[7][8] The old section of the Scott County Jail was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[9] The courthouse was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District in 2020.[10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 468.211 square miles (1,212.66 km2), of which 458.101 square miles (1,186.48 km2) is land and 10.110 square miles (26.18 km2) (2.16%) is water.[11] It is the 77th-largest county in Iowa by total area[12] Part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is located within the county.

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,986—
186025,959333.7%
187038,59948.7%
188041,2666.9%
189043,1644.6%
190051,55819.4%
191060,00016.4%
192073,95223.3%
193077,3324.6%
194084,7489.6%
1950100,69818.8%
1960119,06718.2%
1970142,68719.8%
1980160,02212.1%
1990150,973−5.7%
2000158,6685.1%
2010165,2244.1%
2020174,6695.7%
2024 (est.)175,601[13] 0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[3]

As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Scott County was $269,146.[18]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 73,767 estimated households in Scott County with an average of 2.33 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $77,355. Approximately 11.3% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Scott County has an estimated 63.8% employment rate, with 37.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.2% holding a high school diploma.[3] There were 79,244 housing units at an average density of 172.98 per square mile (66.8/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (90.8%), Spanish (3.0%), Indo-European (1.9%), Asian and Pacific Islander (2.1%), and Other (2.3%).

The median age in the county was 40.2 years.

Scott County, Iowa – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[19] Pop. 1990[20] Pop. 2000[21] Pop. 2010[22] Pop. 2020[23]
White alone (NH) 148,541
(92.83%)		 136,942
(90.70%)		 137,382
(86.58%)		 136,884
(82.85%)		 134,578
(77.05%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 6,546
(4.09%)		 7,861
(5.21%)		 9,498
(5.99%)		 11,413
(6.91%)		 13,701
(7.84%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 339
(0.21%)		 439
(0.29%)		 425
(0.27%)		 369
(0.22%)		 324
(0.19%)
Asian alone (NH) 815
(0.51%)		 1,324
(0.88%)		 2,476
(1.56%)		 3,295
(1.99%)		 4,824
(2.76%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 29
(0.02%)		 53
(0.03%)		 57
(0.03%)
Other race alone (NH) 228
(0.14%)		 160
(0.11%)		 172
(0.11%)		 167
(0.10%)		 523
(0.30%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 2,241
(1.41%)		 3,846
(2.33%)		 8,570
(4.91%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,553
(2.22%)		 4,253
(2.82%)		 6,445
(4.06%)		 9,197
(5.57%)		 12,092
(6.92%)
Total 160,022
(100.00%)		 150,973
(100.00%)		 158,668
(100.00%)		 165,224
(100.00%)		 174,669
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 175,601 people, 73,767 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 383.32 inhabitants per square mile (148.0/km2). There were 79,244 housing units at an average density of 172.98 per square mile (66.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% White (77.2% NH White), 8.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.8% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 174,669 people, 71,628 households, and 45,007 families residing in the county.[24] The population density was 381.29 inhabitants per square mile (147.2/km2). There were 77,771 housing units at an average density of 169.77 per square mile (65.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.44% White, 8.08% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.78% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from some other races and 7.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.92% of the population.[25]

The median age of 39.0 years; 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.5 males age 18 and over.[26] The census also recorded a population density of 373.9/sq mi (144.4/km2).

There were 71,628 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.0% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]

There were 77,771 housing units, of which 7.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.2% were owner-occupied and 32.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.3%.[26][27]

86.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.3% lived in rural areas.[28]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 165,224 people, 66,765 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 360.67 inhabitants per square mile (139.3/km2). There were 71,835 housing units at an average density of 156.81 per square mile (60.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.11% White, 7.10% African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from some other races and 2.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.57% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 158,668 people, 62,334 households, and 41,888 families in the county. The population density was 346.36 inhabitants per square mile (133.7/km2). There were 65,649 housing units at an average density of 143.31 per square mile (55.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.54% White, 6.11% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from some other races and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.06% of the population.

There were 62,334 households, 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 26.90% of households were one person and 9.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median household income was $42,701 and the median family income was $52,045. Males had a median income of $38,985 versus $25,456 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,310. About 7.70% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Former township

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Scott County.

† county seat

Rank City/town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2020 Census) 		Population
(2024 Estimate)
1 † Davenport City 101,724 100,938
2 Bettendorf City 39,102 40,281
3 Eldridge City 6,726 6,967
4 LeClaire City 4,710 4,776
5 Park View CDP 2,709 2,861
6 Durant (partially in Cedar and Muscatine counties) City 1,871 1,798
7 Blue Grass (partially in Muscatine County) City 1,666 1,707
8 Walcott (partially in Muscatine County) City 1,551 1,556
9 Buffalo City 1,176 1,163
10 Princeton City 923 917
11 Long Grove City 838 849
12 Riverdale City 379 385
13 Donahue City 335 336
14 McCausland City 313 314
15 Dixon City 202 204
16 Maysville City 156 155
17 Panorama Park City 139 142
18 New Liberty City 138 141

Politics

For most of its history, Scott County was primarily a Republican county. From 1880 to 1984, it only supported a Democrat for president nine times, six of which were national Democratic landslides. In more recent elections, the county has become consistently Democratic in presidential elections like many other midsize urban counties nationwide, with the party's candidates winning the county in every presidential election from 1988 on. Despite these victories, their margins of victory have not been as wide as in many other counties of similar composition, especially in 2016 when Hillary Clinton only won the county by 1,291 votes; yet Scott County remains relatively Democratic-leaning. However, in the 2022 elections, Republicans swept Scott County, with the county voting for the Republican candidates for all statewide offices, as well as for Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks for U.S. House of Representatives. Notably, Republican governor Kim Reynolds won the county with a margin of over 10 points.[29]

In 2024, Republican Donald Trump flipped Scott County in a presidential race for the first time in 40 years when it was won by Ronald Reagan in his landslide 1984 victory.

United States presidential election results for Scott County, Iowa[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 4,322 61.04% 2,594 36.63% 165 2.33%
1884 2,740 34.31% 5,200 65.11% 47 0.59%
1888 2,832 32.82% 5,692 65.97% 104 1.21%
1892 2,999 32.15% 6,205 66.52% 124 1.33%
1896 6,419 58.73% 4,032 36.89% 479 4.38%
1900 6,327 52.05% 5,157 42.43% 671 5.52%
1904 6,789 51.96% 4,931 37.74% 1,346 10.30%
1908 6,845 50.75% 5,845 43.33% 799 5.92%
1912 1,568 11.46% 5,632 41.17% 6,479 47.36%
1916 8,329 56.39% 5,212 35.29% 1,229 8.32%
1920 16,233 58.75% 5,473 19.81% 5,925 21.44%
1924 18,360 60.32% 4,347 14.28% 7,731 25.40%
1928 16,974 56.47% 12,942 43.06% 142 0.47%
1932 14,218 43.81% 16,887 52.03% 1,350 4.16%
1936 12,691 37.17% 20,737 60.73% 717 2.10%
1940 18,504 46.69% 20,996 52.98% 130 0.33%
1944 18,015 48.58% 18,962 51.14% 104 0.28%
1948 16,842 49.42% 16,661 48.89% 578 1.70%
1952 29,719 61.88% 17,807 37.08% 500 1.04%
1956 27,965 59.37% 18,969 40.27% 170 0.36%
1960 27,617 54.50% 23,004 45.40% 50 0.10%
1964 19,488 38.14% 31,526 61.70% 84 0.16%
1968 25,783 46.86% 24,596 44.71% 4,639 8.43%
1972 34,135 57.41% 23,810 40.05% 1,510 2.54%
1976 35,021 53.11% 29,771 45.15% 1,148 1.74%
1980 34,701 51.09% 26,391 38.85% 6,834 10.06%
1984 38,034 53.41% 32,550 45.71% 628 0.88%
1988 31,025 46.98% 34,415 52.12% 595 0.90%
1992 28,844 38.63% 33,765 45.22% 12,053 16.14%
1996 26,751 41.03% 32,694 50.14% 5,757 8.83%
2000 32,801 46.48% 35,857 50.81% 1,910 2.71%
2004 39,958 48.30% 42,122 50.92% 642 0.78%
2008 36,365 42.10% 48,927 56.64% 1,086 1.26%
2012 38,251 42.38% 50,652 56.12% 1,360 1.51%
2016 39,149 45.41% 40,440 46.90% 6,631 7.69%
2020 43,683 47.17% 46,926 50.68% 1,990 2.15%
2024 45,976 51.01% 42,479 47.13% 1,678 1.86%

Education

Public school districts in Scott County include:[31]

Higher education institutions

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  2. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Scott County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  5. ^ "Iowa: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  6. ^ "Scott County History". scottcountyiowa.com. June 3, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  7. ^ "Scott County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  8. ^ Allemeier, Scott. "Scott County opens new jail to the public". Quad-City Times (November 16, 2007). Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  9. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  10. ^ Jennifer Irsfeld James. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District" (PDF). Downtown Davenport, Iowa. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Scott County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  13. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  16. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  19. ^ "Scott County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  20. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Iowa" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  21. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Scott County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  22. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Scott County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Scott County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  24. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  25. ^ "How many people live in Scott County, Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  26. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  28. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  29. ^ "Iowa Governor election results". Politico.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  31. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Scott County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2025. - Text list
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