Cradled by the mighty Mississippi River on the east and south, and the meandering Wapsipinicon River on the north, Scott County, Iowa offers an extraordinary combination of quality living styles.
Scott County has some of the richest agricultural land in the nation; the adventure and history of small river towns on the banks of the Mississippi; and the opportunities of urban life in dynamic metropolitan communities.
You'll find it all here. Since the 1830's, this unique location has flourished, melding the industries that developed from river transportation and agriculture. Also, the historically strong work ethic of the people of Iowa and their ideals of preserving family values, has helped Scott County flourish.
Today's Scott County is vivacious. For newcomers and visitors curious about what this 465-square-mile county is all about, this is a good starting point. Discover the rest of the county, its 17 cities, numerous unincorporated communities and rural subdivisions.
You'll find out everywhere you go, Scott County is a place where strangers become fast friends, and newcomers become welcome neighbors.
Metropolitan Scott County -- Davenport and Bettendorf
The county seat, and the largest city in Scott County, is Davenport. Centrally located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Davenport is Iowa's third largest city, and one of its oldest. Incorporated in 1838, eight years before Iowa became a state, it is a "special charter" city with special governing prerogatives.
It is also the largest city in an Iowa/Illinois metropolis of more than 350,000 people called the Quad Cities. The Quad Cities is made up of Scott County in Iowa and Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties in Illinois.
As home to over 100,000 of the county's 175,000 residents, Davenport's diversity ranges from its designation as a Mississippi River tourist mecca, where modern-day riverboat gambling was born, to its reputation as a productive and profitable business center -- and a great place to raise a family.
Neighboring riverfront Bettendorf, Iowa, the county's second largest city, is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa. Its nearly 40,000 population enjoys community life rich in culture and recreation.
The Agricultural Economy & Rural Communities
Nearly 90 percent of Scott County is home to some of the most fertile and valuable farmland in the country, where row crops and livestock are the basis of a strong agricultural economy. The combination of river access and agricultural production has made the Quad Cities a major farm equipment-manufacturing center.
Each rural community differs in size, and has its distinctive characteristics and charm -- in its businesses, housing and culture. The towns and their approximate populations are:
Historic River Towns
The southern border of Scott County takes travelers along the Great River Road, a scenic drive through the county's historic river communities. In addition to Davenport and Bettendorf, county river towns are rich in history and recreation. They also offer river views from shorelines and bluff homes.
As individual as the rest of Scott County's communities, our river towns also offer their own style of hospitality and living. The towns and their approximate population are:
County owned recreational areas include: