countyscore
51.2
County Score
Soil Quality 72.4Cost of Living 68.8Lawn Care 67.1

County Report Card

About Cass County, Indiana

Slightly Above the National Median

Cass County earns a composite score of 51.3, placing it just above the national median of 50.0. This score suggests a standard of living that is consistent with the middle tier of American counties.

Trailing the Indiana Average

The county falls below the Indiana state average score of 55.9. While it remains competitive, it lags behind several higher-performing counties in the north-central part of the state.

Affordable Living and Low Taxes

Housing affordability is a major advantage, with a cost score of 66.8 and a median gross rent of just $778 per month. Residents also benefit from a manageable tax burden, reflected in a tax score of 63.9.

Economic and Educational Hurdles

The income score is a low 28.8, with a median household income of $56,525 that sits below many state peers. Additionally, the school score of 36.9 suggests room for growth in local educational outcomes.

Best for Budget-Conscious Residents

Cass County is an excellent fit for retirees or remote workers looking to stretch their dollars. Its low housing costs and modest taxes create a high level of financial accessibility.

2040608010062.468.850.343.136.924.243.248.855.7Tax62.4Cost68.8Safety50.3Health43.1Schools36.9Income24.2Risk43.2Water48.8Weather55.751.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Cass County DNA

Foverall

How Cass County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Cass County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (68.8/100) but notably weak in Income (24.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.4+10.399999999999999
Cost
68.8+20.799999999999997
Safety
50.3
Health
43.1
Schools
36.9-17.1
Income
24.2-26.8
Risk
43.2
Water
48.8-9.200000000000003
Weather
55.7
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Think property taxes are too high in Cass County?

Many homeowners in Cass County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$133,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$783/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$133,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,403/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

2.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $52,541
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Median income: $95,592
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Lincoln County
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Morrison County
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Yalobusha County
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Ashe County
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Laurens County
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Hancock County
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51.3

Nearby counties

Carroll County
Indiana
61.7
Fulton County
Indiana
64.5
Miami County
Indiana
61.6
Howard County
Indiana
45.3
Pulaski County
Indiana
65.8
White County
Indiana
59.9
Clinton County
Indiana
57.2
Wabash County
Indiana
60.7

Deep Dives

Cass County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cass County

via TaxByCounty

Cass County taxes far below national average

At 0.694% effective rate, Cass County homeowners pay roughly one-quarter what the typical American household pays in property taxes. The median tax bill here is just $824 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—putting Cass in a distinctly affordable bracket nationwide.

Middle of the pack in Indiana

Cass County's 0.694% effective rate sits slightly above Indiana's state average of 0.671%, ranking it in the moderate tier among the state's 92 counties. Most Hoosier homeowners in similar-sized counties see comparable tax burdens.

Lower taxes than regional peers

Cass County's effective rate of 0.694% beats neighboring Clark County (0.737%) and nearly matches Clinton County (0.622%). The region shows consistent variation, with Clay County offering the lowest rates at 0.457%.

Median Cass home costs $824 annually

A homeowner with Cass County's median property value of $118,700 pays roughly $824 per year in property taxes. Adding mortgage and escrow costs, the annual bill rises to approximately $970.

Your assessment might be too high

Many Cass County property owners are assessed above market value, leaving potential savings on the table. Indiana allows homeowners to challenge assessments during the annual reassessment window—a free process that frequently results in reduced tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cass County

via IncomeByCounty

Cass County trails national income levels

Cass County's median household income of $56,525 falls $18,230 below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower half nationally. This 24% gap suggests local earning power lags behind most U.S. counties, driven partly by a regional manufacturing base that has faced decades of structural change.

Below-average income among Indiana counties

At $56,525, Cass County ranks below Indiana's state median of $68,681—a shortfall of $12,156 that reflects economic challenges shared with rural portions of the state. The county's per capita income of $29,370 also trails the state average of $34,773, indicating both household and individual earning constraints.

Neighboring counties earn notably more

Nearby Clay County ($67,676) and Daviess County ($68,561) both earn $11,000+ more per household than Cass, while Clinton County ($63,690) also outpaces the local median. These comparisons suggest that even small geographic shifts reveal significant income variation across the region.

Modest rent burden, but affordability stretched

Cass County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% sits within the healthy range (under 30%), meaning housing costs remain manageable for renters. However, the median home value of $118,700 requires household savings discipline—at current income levels, first-time homebuyers face a meaningful down-payment hurdle.

Build wealth despite modest starting income

For Cass County households earning $56,525 annually, prioritizing emergency savings and low-cost index funds can compound over decades. Even small, consistent investments—starting with 5-10% of take-home pay—can offset the county's income gap and create long-term financial security for families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cass County

via CrimeByCounty

Cass County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Cass County maintains a total crime rate of 1118.5 per 100K residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This strong performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.2 out of 100.

Tracking Above State Crime Averages

The county's total crime rate sits above the Indiana state average of 693.8 per 100K. However, Cass excels in violent crime prevention, reporting only 29.1 incidents per 100K compared to the state's 102.9 average.

Cass County vs Regional Neighbors

Cass County reports a higher crime rate than nearby Clinton County's 381.6 but remains far safer than more urbanized areas. It effectively balances local safety needs while keeping property crime significantly below national levels.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

Property crime accounts for 1089.4 of the total incidents per 100K, making up the vast majority of local law enforcement activity. Violent crime is exceptionally rare, occurring at a rate nearly 13 times lower than the national average.

Maintaining a Secure Cass County

Focusing on property security like smart lighting and deadbolts helps address the county's primary crime category. Staying alert and connected with neighbors ensures the community remains a safe place to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cass County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cooler Midwestern Profile

Cass County’s annual average temperature of 50.5°F sits roughly four degrees below the national median. This puts the area in a humid continental climate zone defined by cold winters and warm summers.

Below the Indiana Average

The county is cooler than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. It ranks as one of the chillier northern counties, receiving 41.2 inches of annual precipitation.

Drier than the State Average

Cass receives about 2.7 inches less precipitation annually than the Indiana average of 43.9 inches. It maintains a colder winter profile than central neighbors like Clinton County.

Cold Winters and Brief Heat

Winter brings 22 inches of snow and a chilly 27.8°F seasonal average. Summers are moderate, though residents still face 14 extreme heat days above 90°F each year.

Prepare for the Freeze

Homeowners should prioritize high-efficiency heating to manage the 24.8°F January average. Snow removal equipment is a necessity for the 22 inches of typical annual accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cass County

via SoilByCounty

Loamy Sand Soils define Cass County

Cass County features Alfisol soils with a 6.20 average pH, making them slightly more acidic than the 6.5 national median. The dominant texture is loamy fine sand, which feels lighter and grainier than the heavy clays found in other parts of the state.

A Silty and Sandy Mix

The soil contains 35.7% sand and 45.1% silt, balanced by a modest 15.4% clay content. This composition offers excellent workability and enough silt to maintain structure without becoming excessively heavy or difficult to till.

Strong Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter reaches 4.98%, which exceeds both the national average and the Indiana state average of 4.90%. While fertility is high, the available water capacity of 0.190 in/in sits slightly below the state benchmark of 0.202.

Rapid Drainage for Resilient Roots

These soils are somewhat excessively drained and belong to hydrologic group A. This means water moves quickly through the profile, preventing pooling but requiring gardeners to monitor moisture during dry summer weeks.

Ready for Early Season Success

In USDA zone 6a, these well-drained loams are perfect for root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. With an overall soil score of 72.4, this land is naturally more productive than the average Indiana county.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cass County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Lawn Maintenance in Cass County

Cass County earns a 67.1 lawn difficulty score, comfortably beating the national median of 50.0 but trailing the Indiana average of 71.0. Located in Hardiness Zone 6a, homeowners here face a moderate challenge in keeping turf healthy compared to easier counties in the south.

Manageable Heat and Rain Patterns

The county receives 41.2 inches of annual precipitation, slightly below the state average of 44.2 inches. With only 14 extreme heat days and 3147 growing degree days, the climate generally supports steady growth without constant summer dormancy risks.

Loamy Sand Needs Steady Hydration

The local soil features a loamy fine sand texture with a healthy pH of 6.20, which is ideal for nutrient uptake. However, because the soil is somewhat excessively drained, grass may struggle to retain moisture during the peak of summer.

Severe Drought Risks Dominate Recent Seasons

Current data shows 91% of the county is in a severe drought, and lawns have weathered 46 weeks of dry conditions over the past year. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root systems that can survive these extended dry spells.

Planting for Success in Zone 6a

Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue are top choices for Cass County's 6a hardiness zone. Plan to seed after the last spring frost on April 25 or before the first fall frost on October 23 for optimal results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cass County's county score?
Cass County, Indiana has a composite county score of 51.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Cass County rank among counties in Indiana?
Cass County ranks #68 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Cass County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Cass County is $910, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns Cass County a tax score of 62.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cass County?
The median household income in Cass County, Indiana is $56,403 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cass County earns an income score of 24.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cass County, Indiana a good place to live?
Cass County scores 51.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #68 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Cass County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Cass County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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