Scott County, MO Shrink-Swell Risk

Shrink-swell potential in Scott County, MO

Moderate

Soil across 72.2% of Scott County, MO comes back "Moderate" in USDA's shrink-swell data, averaging 3.82% linear extensibility. A real but modest amount of movement - standard foundations usually hold up, but drainage and moisture control around the foundation still matter more than on low-risk soil.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Scott County, MO - never a reading for one specific parcel. The real answer for one lot is still a site-specific geotechnical report, running about $1,000-$5,000 (typically near $2,700).

Scott County: the real numbers

Scott County's soil reading points toward standard foundation practice as the likely outcome, not the exception. A geotechnical report runs $1,000-$5,000, typically around $2,700. Foundation repair, if a specific lot turns out to differ from the county average, runs $5,000-$15,000.

Where this sits nationally

Among the 3,085 rated counties on this site, Scott County, MO ranks 666 most-constrained nationally, and 61 of 114 within Missouri. The county spans 420 square miles, home to 37,957 people.

For contrast

Orleans Parish, LA carries this site's most-constrained reading. Blaine County, ID and Monroe County, IA are worth a look for comparison.

How this reading is built, and its real limits · Moisture management: the cheap fix that works on any soil

Elsewhere in Missouri

Every county in Missouri is on this site, including Newton County, MO and Boone County, MO. The full underlying dataset is downloadable directly, one row per county.