CountyScore

Cass County

Illinois · IL

#57 in Illinois
63.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Cass County, Illinois

Cass County exceeds national median

With a composite score of 61.1, Cass County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally. This strong showing reflects a county that delivers above-average livability across measured dimensions.

Slightly below Illinois average

Cass County scores 61.1, just shy of Illinois's state average of 62.1, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's counties. The modest gap suggests it performs comparably to most Illinois communities.

Housing affordability is the star

Cass County shines in cost of living, with a Cost Score of 83.4—among the best in the state. Median home values stand at just $95,500 and rents at $723/month, making it highly accessible for budget-conscious families and first-time homebuyers.

Income growth lags significantly

The Income Score of 25.8 reveals a key weakness, with a median household income of $64,907 trailing both state and national comparables. Tax burden also presents room for improvement, with an effective tax rate of 2.102% and a Tax Score of 43.2.

Best for cost-conscious rural families

Cass County suits families or retirees prioritizing affordable housing and lower overall cost of living over high incomes. Limited data on schools, safety, and health means prospective residents should research those dimensions independently before deciding.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax43.2Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk61.4WaterComing Soon
🏛43.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cass County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pulaski County
Arkansas
63.4
Median income: $60,385
Hernando County
Florida
63.4
Median income: $63,193
Guilford County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $66,027
Wake County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $101,763
Clark County
Ohio
63.4
Median income: $60,846

Deep Dives

Cass County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cass County

via TaxByCounty

Cass County taxes run below national average

At 2.102%, Cass County's effective property tax rate sits above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. The median property tax here is $2,007, well below the nation's $2,690 median, reflecting lower home values across the county.

Above average within Illinois

Cass County ranks 15th highest among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate at 2.102%, exceeding the state average of 1.831% by 0.27 percentage points. Its median property tax of $2,007 falls short of the state median of $2,782, putting it near the middle of the pack statewide.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Cass County's 2.102% rate outpaces nearby Christian County (1.691%) and Clark County (1.684%), but trails Champaign County (2.070%). Among its peer rural counties, Cass carries a moderate tax burden with median taxes of $2,007.

What an average Cass County home costs annually

The median Cass County home valued at $95,500 generates an estimated $2,007 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $2,036, while those without mortgages pay $1,967.

Overassessment could cost you hundreds

Many Illinois homeowners, including those in Cass County, are overassessed and eligible for tax appeals through their county assessor's office. Seeking a reassessment review costs nothing and could reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars if successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cass County

via CostByCounty

Cass County rents stay below national strain

Renters in Cass County spend just 13.4% of their income on housing, beating the national average and signaling relative affordability. With a median household income of $64,907—about 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755—residents stretch their dollars further on housing than typical Americans do.

Illinois's most affordable rental market

Cass County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Illinois's lowest, outperforming the state average of 14.7%. At $723 per month, median gross rent sits $114 below the state average, making it a bright spot for affordability across central Illinois.

Cheaper than Christian, comparable to Clark

Cass County's $723 rent undercuts nearby Christian County ($729) and matches Clark County's affordability more closely than rural neighbors. The county's modest housing costs reflect its smaller population and distance from major metro centers like Champaign.

Rent and ownership costs balanced

At $723 for rent and $793 for homeowner costs, Cass County offers symmetrical housing burdens across tenancy types. The median home value of $95,500 keeps monthly mortgage payments low, allowing homeowners and renters to spend roughly the same proportion of their $64,907 median income on shelter.

Consider Cass for affordable living

If you're relocating to Illinois and prioritize affordability, Cass County delivers low rents without the rural isolation of clay or Christian counties. Compare this county's $723 rents and 13.4% rent burden against pricier alternatives like Cook County ($1,381) or Champaign County ($1,018) before you move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cass County

via IncomeByCounty

Cass County trails national income average

Cass County's median household income of $64,907 falls $9,848 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower-middle tier nationally, reflecting regional economic patterns across central Illinois.

Below-average income within Illinois

At $64,907, Cass County earns $3,673 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580. The county ranks in the lower half of Illinois's 102 counties for household income.

Competitive with nearby counties

Cass County's $64,907 median income positions it solidly between Christian County ($59,253) and Clark County ($70,625). The county performs better than most rural Illinois peers, though trails the state's urban centers.

Rent remains very affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.4%, Cass County residents spend less than half the problematic 30% threshold on housing costs. This strong affordability advantage reflects both modest rents and stable household incomes.

Build on Cass County's affordability edge

The money Cass County households save on housing—compared to national averages—can fuel retirement accounts and investments. Starting early with automatic transfers to savings or low-cost index funds helps compound that advantage over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cass County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly above national average

Cass County residents live to an average of 76.8 years, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by less than a year. However, one in five residents reports poor or fair health, suggesting quality of life challenges persist despite longevity gains.

Cass ranks above Illinois average

At 76.8 years, Cass County's life expectancy exceeds Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 0.8 years. This positions the county in the healthier tier statewide, though the gap reflects modest regional variation.

Healthier than most central Illinois peers

Cass County's 76.8-year life expectancy beats Christian County (75.8 years) and Clay County (75.8 years), though it trails Champaign County's 78.8 years. The county's 20.1% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in its peer region, warranting attention to underlying health drivers.

Primary care shortage amid moderate uninsured rates

Cass County has only 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far below the national benchmark of 45—while 7.8% of residents lack insurance, above the state average of 6.3%. This scarcity means longer waits and delayed preventive care for many.

Explore your health insurance options now

With nearly 8% of Cass County uninsured, enrollment periods matter. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to find plans that fit your budget and health needs—many qualify for subsidies regardless of income.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cass County

via RiskByCounty

Cass County's low risk profile

With a composite risk score of 38.65, Cass County ranks well below the national average for natural disaster risk. This Very Low rating means residents face significantly fewer threats from combined hazards compared to the typical American county.

Among Illinois's safest counties

Cass County's score of 38.65 puts it well below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's lower-risk regions. This protective position reflects a relative absence of major flood, wildfire, and tornado exposure compared to many other Illinois counties.

Safer than surrounding counties

Cass County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Christian County (54.04) and Clinton County (65.59). Among all central Illinois neighbors, Cass remains among the safest places to live from a natural disaster perspective.

Earthquake poses the largest threat

While overall risk is low, Cass County's earthquake score of 47.58 is its highest individual hazard rating. Tornado risk (32.60) represents the second concern, though both remain below state averages for these specific hazards.

Secure coverage while risk remains manageable

Cass County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with attention to earthquake coverage given the county's comparatively elevated seismic score. Proactive insurance review now ensures protection if risk patterns shift over time.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.