Signals
Poplar Bluff
Scottsboro
Growth
46 · Bottom 44%
vs42 · Bottom 36%
Climate
75 · Top 21%
vs77 · Top 10%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs33 · Bottom 22%
Housing affordability
98 · Top 39%
vs99 · Top 32%
Access
64 · Bottom 28%
vs74 · Bottom 46%
Economic stability
19 · Bottom 9%
vs23 · Bottom 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Poplar Bluff | Scottsboro | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,020 | 53,053 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $49,089 | $51,908 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $27,431 | $30,130 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 60/sq mi | 49/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $145,100 | $159,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $780 | $780 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.6% | 75.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 15.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 17.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 58 | 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 222.2% | 4.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 28°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 50.8" | 55.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 58 mi | 46 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.5 min | 29.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.5 | 43.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Poplar Bluff
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Scottsboro
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake, inland flooding.
Your best match
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Poplar Bluff
55
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Area Score
Scottsboro
58
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Poplar Bluff, MO Micro Area · Scottsboro, AL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology