Cass
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Cass County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average commute is in the bottom 5% of American counties (15 minutes) and the home price against local income is in the bottom 12% of American counties (1.5 years of income). Within Iowa it ranks 5th of 46 counties for the average commute, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Cass County, Iowa. 13,116 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +66).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $60,815 a year, higher than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,005. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,311 a year.

Home

The median home costs $165K, cheaper than 78% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $684 a month. Property tax is 1.45% of home value, roughly $1,852 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.8 years, shorter than 51% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 10.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 84% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 38 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 39, colder than 73% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 46 out of 100, safer than 53% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 200 Mbps down, faster than 50% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.