County · Illinois
Scott County, Illinois
Scott County, Illinois. Scott County had 4,866 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 10 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 17171.
Scott County is one of the 2 counties of the Jacksonville, IL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,866
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,949 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,937
Median household income
$66,705
±$7,853 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$96,400
±$8,591 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$689
±$44 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Scott County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,949 residents in Scott County. The Census Bureau estimates 4,866 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 4,937 over 251 square miles of land.
| Measure | Scott County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,937 | 12,694,798 | −68 |
| Households | 2,046±76 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.09 | 2.46 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 2,384±19 | 5,457,452 | −66 |
Scott County's population since 2000
From 5,537 in 2000 to 4,866 in 2025: down 12.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Scott County?
Scott County holds 10 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Winchester with 1,502 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Winchester | 1,574 | $48,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluffs | 618 | $69,250 |
| Manchester | 265 | $81,875 |
| AlseyGEOID 1700997 | 195 | $58,750 |
| GlasgowGEOID 1729496 | 113 | $57,083 |
| NaplesGEOID 1751661 | 100 | $170,350 |
| ExeterGEOID 1724699 | 87 | $61,250 |
| MerrittGEOID 1748567 | 48 | not published |
| OxvilleGEOID 1757121 | 24 | not published |
| RiggstonGEOID 1764083 | 14 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Scott County?
The median resident of Scott County is 46.0 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.6%.
| Measure | Scott County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0±0.6 | 39.0 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9%±0.5 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.4%±0.3 pts | 58.1% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±1.2 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6%±1.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±1.7 pts | 6.9% | +2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.4%±2.1 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.5%±4.0 pts | 37.8% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.2%±1.2 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Scott County earn?
Half of Scott County's 2,046 households earn less than $66,705 a year (±$7,853), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $70,295 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Scott County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,705±$7,853 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,253±$8,206 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,633±$3,204 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.5%±2.5 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.4%±5.9 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.2%±2.9 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.1%±3.6 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Scott County?
Owners occupy 79.0% of Scott County's occupied homes and renters 21.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,400 by its owner (±$8,591). The median renter pays $689 a month including utilities, and 17.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Scott County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $96,400±$8,591 | $263,300 | −$13,378 |
| Median gross rent | $689±$44 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 17.6%±8.2 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,186±$92 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.0%±3.3 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,384±19 | 5,457,452 | −66 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±4.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.1%±3.7 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.4%±2.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.9%±4.4 pts | 20.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Scott County get to work?
79.8% of Scott County's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Scott County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4%±2.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 5.8% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±4.2 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0%±3.5 pts | 15.9% | +4.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.2 min±1.8 | 27.8 min | −3.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Scott County's census tracts?
Scott County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,440 (Tract 9707) to $78,462 (Tract 9706).
| Tract 970617171970600 | 1,682±168 | $78,462 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970717171970700 | 3,255±168 | $59,440 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Scott County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 97th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 86th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 93rd of 102 |
| Median household income | 51st of 102 |
| Median home value | 96th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 92nd of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 62nd of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 102 |
| Median age | 13th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Scott County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.