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Scott County, MN

RANK #672 / 996  ·  POP 151,347  ·  MN

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%

Scott County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Scott County?

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.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.8x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+7.1%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+1.5%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
-3.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
18x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Scott County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
151,347
+1.19% YoY
Median Household Income
$118,268
Median Home Value
$376,000
+1.48% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,419
Average Annual Pay
$62,133
+4.6% YoY
Employment
63,111
+4.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3145
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
5.22%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$430,000
Days on Market
51
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.7
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.6%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
22.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
30.1%
Building Permits (2024)
699
Single-Family Permits
609

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$521M
TOTAL
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.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +7.1% 94 percentile
Population Growth +1.2% 76 percentile
Income Growth +8.5% 49 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 89 percentile
Home Price Change +1.5% 52 percentile
Rent Growth +5.4% 83 percentile
Price/Rent 18x 14 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scott County, MN a good place to move to?

Scott County has a Boom Town Index score of 33/100, ranking #672 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.1% and a median household income of $118,268, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Scott County affordable?

The median home value in Scott County is $376,000 with median rent at $1,419/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3145, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Scott County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.1%. Home values changed +1.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Scott County?

Yes — 5.22% of Scott County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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