Cass County's composite score of 71.6 ranks it in the top third nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 43%. The county slightly outperforms Minnesota's average of 70.9, a rare achievement for a rural area.
2 / 5
Minnesota's Upper Tier Performer
Cass County ranks among the top performers within Minnesota's 87 counties, edging just above the state average. This positions the county as one of the most livable rural areas in the state.
3 / 5
Tax Burden and Affordability Lead the Way
Cass County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.576% and an exceptional cost score of 77.9. Median home values of $262,300 and rents of $889/month make housing highly accessible.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes Offset Strong Affordability
The median household income of $64,937 yields an income score of just 25.8, Cass County's weakest dimension. While affordability is excellent, residents work with lower earning potential.
5 / 5
Perfect for Budget Builders and Retirees
Cass County excels for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal tax burden and housing affordability over high wages. Its combination of low taxes, cheap housing, and decent health outcomes creates strong value for cost-conscious households.
Cass County's composite score of 71.6 ranks it in the top third nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 43%. The county slightly outperforms Minnesota's average of 70.9, a rare achievement for a rural area.
Minnesota's Upper Tier Performer
Cass County ranks among the top performers within Minnesota's 87 counties, edging just above the state average. This positions the county as one of the most livable rural areas in the state.
Tax Burden and Affordability Lead the Way
Cass County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.576% and an exceptional cost score of 77.9. Median home values of $262,300 and rents of $889/month make housing highly accessible.
Lower Incomes Offset Strong Affordability
The median household income of $64,937 yields an income score of just 25.8, Cass County's weakest dimension. While affordability is excellent, residents work with lower earning potential.
Perfect for Budget Builders and Retirees
Cass County excels for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal tax burden and housing affordability over high wages. Its combination of low taxes, cheap housing, and decent health outcomes creates strong value for cost-conscious households.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Cass County's 0.576% effective tax rate ranks in the lowest 15% nationally, far below the 1.0% median. Homeowners here pay just $1,512 annually—43% less than the national median of $2,690.
Minnesota's second-lowest tax burden overall
Cass ranks 85th (second-lowest) among Minnesota's 87 counties by effective rate, at 0.576% versus the state average of 0.968%. The median property tax of $1,512 is the lowest in the state, making Cass an exceptional value for homeowners.
Far below all nearby northern counties
Cass's 0.576% rate is dramatically lower than Carlton (1.169%), Clearwater (0.732%), and Cook (0.790%), offering the region's most affordable tax environment. Even Chisago County's 1.123% is nearly double Cass's rate.
Median home taxes just $1,512 yearly
With a median home value of $262,300 and Cass's exceptionally low 0.576% rate, the annual property tax bills approximately $1,512. This remains one of Minnesota's most tax-friendly counties despite modest property values.
Even low rates merit periodic review
While Cass offers excellent tax value, homeowners should still verify their assessment annually to catch any inflated valuations. Filing an appeal takes minimal effort and can further reduce an already modest tax burden.
Cass County residents spend 16.4% of their income on rent—well above the national benchmark of 14.5%—despite earning $64,937, which is 13% below the national median. This mismatch marks Cass as one of the tighter affordability spots in the region.
Minnesota's affordability strain point
Cass County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in Minnesota, exceeding the state average by 1.9 percentage points. The county sits in the lower-income tier while facing rental costs that capture disproportionate household budgets.
Lower rents, but also lower incomes
While Cass's median rent of $889 undercuts Carlton ($967) and Clay ($1,000), residents earn less too—$64,937 versus Carlton's $80,042. This unfavorable income-to-cost ratio makes Cass renters stretch harder despite cheaper absolute rent prices.
Housing consumes more income here
Cass renters pay $889 monthly while homeowners spend $954, together consuming roughly 16-18% of the median $64,937 income. The affordability crunch hits renters hardest, who devote 16.4% to housing alone.
Cass demands budget-conscious planning
Relocating to Cass County requires careful financial discipline—housing will claim a larger income share than regional norms suggest comfortable. If you're seeking the lowest absolute rents and can manage tighter budgets, Cass offers opportunity; otherwise, neighboring counties provide better margins.
Cass County's median household income of $64,937 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 13.2 percent, placing it below national norms. This $9,818 shortfall signals economic challenges requiring local attention and household financial planning.
Struggles Against State Average
Cass ranks well below Minnesota's state median of $75,757, earning $10,820 less per household annually. With per capita income of $36,470—nearly 7 percent below state average—the county faces broader economic headwinds affecting both individual and household earnings.
Among Lowest in Region
Cass's $64,937 median ranks among the lowest here, exceeding only Clearwater County ($64,934) in this dataset. The county lags regional peers like Carlton ($80,042) and Chippewa ($69,192), reflecting a challenging local job market.
Housing Stress Signals Caution
Cass County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4 percent—the highest among these counties—signals emerging housing affordability pressure. Combined with below-average income, families here need careful budgeting to manage median home values of $262,300.
Strategic Savings Build Security
Even modest income requires intentional saving to build financial resilience in Cass County. Prioritize an emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses first, then direct any surplus to lower-cost index funds or retirement accounts.
At 74.7 years, Cass County residents live about 4 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years, placing the county among America's lower life expectancy regions. With 15.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health—more than double the national average—Cass faces substantial health burden.
Minnesota's lowest life expectancy
Cass County's 74.7-year life expectancy falls 4 years below Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years, ranking it among the state's worst-performing counties. The 15.7% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Minnesota's typical outcomes, signaling a population facing considerable health obstacles.
Most struggling county in region
Cass's 74.7-year life expectancy is the lowest in its regional peer group, trailing Carlton County (76.3 years) and Clearwater County (76.0 years). Its 15.7% poor/fair health rate is the highest among neighbors, marking Cass as facing the steepest health challenges in its region.
Severe provider shortage, high uninsured
Cass County's 7.7% uninsured rate exceeds Minnesota's state average of 6.0%, leaving more residents without coverage. The county critically lacks providers with just 29 primary care providers and 89 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest provider densities in the state.
Don't wait to get covered
With 7.7% uninsured and provider shortages, coverage is essential in Cass. Visit MNSure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 immediately to find affordable plans and connect with available healthcare resources.
Cass County's composite risk score of 53.53 with a "Relatively Low" rating indicates above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to the national baseline. The county faces meaningful threats across multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and wildfire.
Cass ranks above Minnesota's average risk level
With a score of 53.53, Cass County exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it in the higher-risk tier for the state. This elevation reflects the county's northern geography and exposure to water-based hazards.
Cass balances risk with nearby Chisago County
Cass County (53.53) scores lower than Carlton (70.07) but higher than Chisago (44.53), positioning it as a mid-range risk county in the region. The county's unique hazard profile combines forest fire exposure with significant flood and tornado risk.
Floods and wildfires threaten Cass equally
Cass County faces nearly identical flood (63.17) and wildfire (63.20) risk scores, making both hazards equally pressing concerns for residents. Tornadoes add a secondary threat with a score of 42.91, requiring year-round disaster preparedness.
Dual flood and wildfire insurance critical for Cass
Cass homeowners should secure both flood insurance and wildfire coverage, as the county faces substantial risk from both hazards (63.17 and 63.20 respectively). Create a defensible space around your home and maintain an evacuation plan for wildfire season.