County · Virginia
Scott County, Virginia
Scott County, Virginia. Scott County had 21,200 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 7 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 51169.
Scott County is one of the 5 counties of the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,200
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,576 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,479
Median household income
$46,349
±$3,805 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$143,000
±$18,446 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$699
±$34 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Scott County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,576 residents in Scott County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,200 for July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,479 over 536 square miles of land.
| Measure | Scott County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,479 | 8,705,170 | −423 |
| Households | 9,127±253 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.06 | 2.52 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 11,780±24 | 3,684,756 | −184 |
Scott County's population since 2000
From 23,403 in 2000 to 21,200 in 2025: down 9.4%. 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 7 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Gate City with 2,000 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Gate City | 2,043 | $42,857 |
|---|---|---|
| Weber City | 1,250 | $47,778 |
| Nickelsville | 378 | $46,250 |
| HiltonsGEOID 5137432 | 334 | $42,866 |
| Dungannon | 257 | $19,688 |
| DuffieldGEOID 5123680 | 73 | $86,875 |
| ClinchportGEOID 5117536 | 64 | $32,500 |
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 47.7 years old; 17.8% are under 18 and 25.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.5%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Scott County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7±0.4 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.8%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.3%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% | 11.0% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.4%±0.3 pts | 58.4% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 18.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±1.2 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 27.7%±2.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9%±1.4 pts | 6.9% | −3.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.8%±1.8 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.6%±2.3 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±1.3 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 9,127 households earn less than $46,349 a year (±$3,805), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $49,006 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Scott County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,349±$3,805 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,930±$4,360 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,852±$1,718 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.2%±2.7 pts | 9.9% | +4.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.8%±6.5 pts | 12.3% | +9.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.2%±3.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.7%±2.8 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 77.0% of Scott County's occupied homes and renters 23.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $143,000 by its owner (±$18,446). The median renter pays $699 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Scott County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $143,000±$18,446 | $383,700 | +$26,330 |
| Median gross rent | $699±$34 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.6%±9.1 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175±$63 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.0%±2.1 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,780±24 | 3,684,756 | −184 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±4.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.7%±2.8 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.7%±2.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.6%±2.0 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 many new homes is Scott County building?
Builders took permits for 32 new housing units across Scott County in 2025 (32 single-family), 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Scott County get to work?
86.2% of Scott County's workers drive alone and 5.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.8%.
| Measure | Scott County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 44.9%±2.4 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8%±1.3 pts | 4.3% | −2.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 86.2%±3.0 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.8%±2.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.8%±1.5 pts | 18.3% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.0 min±1.6 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
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 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,250 (Tract 303) to $55,764 (Tract 305).
| Tract 30151169030100 | 3,153±354 | $50,057 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30251169030200 | 3,788±394 | $44,803 |
| Tract 30351169030300 | 3,274±310 | $35,250 |
| Tract 30451169030400 | 3,232±281 | $48,036 |
| Tract 30551169030500 | 3,849±447 | $55,764 |
| Tract 30651169030600 | 4,183±403 | $51,544 |
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 Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 79th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 110th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 111th of 133 |
| Median household income | 127th of 133 |
| Median home value | 118th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 130th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 117th of 133 |
| Median age | 27th of 133 |
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.