CountyScore

Cass County

North Dakota · ND

#53 in North Dakota
63.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Cass County, North Dakota

Cass County scores well above national median

Cass County's composite score of 63.9 sits 28% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties overall. This strong national standing reflects solid performance across most livability dimensions, though there's room for growth in income levels and financial risk management.

Below state average, but still competitive

At 63.9, Cass County ranks below North Dakota's state average of 74.8, reflecting stronger competition within the state. Among North Dakota's counties, Cass is in the mid-to-upper range, driven by strong health and tax scores despite income challenges.

Health and affordability stand out

Cass County excels in health (78.0) and maintains reasonable housing costs with a median home value of $284,700 and rent at $930/month. The county also boasts a competitive effective tax rate of 1.212%, making it attractive for households prioritizing both wellness and tax efficiency.

Income and risk scores need attention

The county's income score of 32.4 lags significantly, with a median household income of $75,023 that trails state and national benchmarks. A notably low risk score of 17.6 suggests exposure to economic vulnerability or instability that deserves further investigation.

Best for health-conscious middle-income families

Cass County suits families prioritizing healthcare access and moderate living costs over maximum earning potential. This county works well for professionals in stable fields and retirees seeking good health services without high tax burden, though higher-income earners might look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.2Cost69.7SafetyComing SoonHealth78SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.4Risk17.6WaterComing Soon
🏛68.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.6
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

Mariposa County
California
63.9
Median income: $65,378
Tehama County
California
63.9
Median income: $61,834
Bond County
Illinois
63.9
Median income: $61,603
Barnstable County
Massachusetts
63.9
Median income: $94,452
Bay County
Michigan
63.9
Median income: $60,523

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 far above national average

At 1.212%, Cass County's effective tax rate ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally—meaning it taxes property at higher rates than roughly three-quarters of American counties. The median property tax here is $3,449, compared to the national median of $2,690, a difference of $759 per year.

Second-highest tax burden in North Dakota

Cass County ranks second among all 53 North Dakota counties for effective tax rate. Its 1.212% rate significantly exceeds the state average of 0.885%, placing it among the state's most expensive counties to own property.

Cass stands out in the region

Neighboring Cavalier County (1.246%) comes in slightly higher, but most other regional counties charge substantially less—Dickey (0.920%), Eddy (0.889%), and Emmons (0.899%) all fall below state average. Cass's $3,449 median tax is double or triple what residents pay in many surrounding counties.

Home here? Budget $3,449 annually

With a median home value of $284,700 and a 1.212% effective rate, the typical Cass County homeowner pays roughly $3,449 in property tax each year. Owners with mortgages typically pay slightly more at $3,509 due to escrow calculations.

Your assessment might be too high

Research shows many homeowners across North Dakota are overassessed relative to market value. If you believe your home's assessed value is inflated, filing a property tax appeal with your county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cass County

via CostByCounty

Cass rents edge above the national norm

At 14.9%, Cass County's rent-to-income ratio runs 2.1 percentage points higher than the national median, meaning renters here devote a larger slice of paychecks to housing. With a median household income of $75,023—nearly matching the national average of $74,755—Cass renters pay $930 monthly, stretching affordability tighter than typical U.S. households.

Cass ranks among North Dakota's pricier counties

Cass County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio places it above North Dakota's state average of 12.8%, making it one of the state's more expensive housing markets. The county's median rent of $930 significantly outpaces the state average of $770, reflecting its status as North Dakota's second-largest metropolitan area.

Fargo-area housing costs set Cass apart

Cass County renters pay $930 monthly—roughly $160 more than neighbors like Cavalier County ($859) and Foster County ($756). Even compared to similarly sized Divide County, Cass residents face noticeably steeper rental costs, though its higher median income of $75,023 provides some cushion.

Housing takes 14.9% of Cass household income

Cass renters spend $930 monthly while mortgage holders pay $1,440, reflecting the county's substantial homeownership costs. With a median home value of $284,700—the highest among these eight counties—ownership demands significant financial commitment, though the median household income of $75,023 provides reasonable support.

Consider Cass for urban perks and jobs

If you're relocating to North Dakota, Cass County offers the region's strongest job market and metro amenities, though housing costs run higher than rural alternatives. Renters comfortable with 14.9% of income going to housing will find a vibrant community; home buyers should compare Cass's $284,700 median value against more affordable counties like Eddy ($115,500) or Emmons ($112,400).

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cass County

via IncomeByCounty

Cass County edges out the nation

Cass County's median household income of $75,023 slightly exceeds the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This $268 advantage reflects a county economy that keeps pace with broader U.S. earning trends.

Above average among North Dakota counties

Cass County ranks above the state median household income of $72,537, earning $2,486 more per household than the typical North Dakota county. This positions Cass as a mid-tier earner within the state economy.

Stronger than rural peers

Cass County's $75,023 income outpaces neighbors Cavalier County ($67,064) and Dickey County ($63,125), though it trails the energy-rich counties of Dunn ($94,688) and Divide ($89,297). The variation reflects North Dakota's diverse economic base across agriculture, energy, and trade.

Income comfortably covers housing costs

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.9%, Cass County households spend well under the recommended 30% threshold on rental housing, leaving substantial room for other expenses. The median home value of $284,700 remains accessible for households earning the county median.

Build on your earnings advantage

Cass County households earning at or above the $75,023 median have a strong foundation for wealth-building through retirement savings, homeownership, and investment. With housing costs manageable and income competitive, prioritizing a diversified financial plan can compound gains over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cass County

via HealthByCounty

Cass County lives longer than America

At 79.1 years, Cass County residents live nearly two years longer than the U.S. average of 77.0 years. Just 14.1% report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of 16.8%.

Best-in-state life expectancy

Cass County's 79.1-year life expectancy ranks first in North Dakota, outpacing the state average of 77.5 years by 1.6 years. The county leads the state in healthy aging outcomes.

Strong health among regional peers

Cass County's 14.1% poor/fair health rate compares favorably to neighboring Cavalier County (13.6%) and significantly outperforms Dickey County (16.3%). The county offers robust primary care access at 99 providers per 100,000 residents.

Healthcare access meets population need

With a 7.2% uninsured rate slightly below the state average of 7.5%, Cass County residents have strong insurance coverage. The county provides 99 primary care providers and 340 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, supporting comprehensive care access.

Keep your coverage strong

Even with solid numbers, staying insured matters: 7.2% of Cass County residents still lack coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore coverage options and maintain your family's access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cass County

via RiskByCounty

Cass County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 82.38, Cass County ranks as Relatively Moderate—significantly higher than the national average. This score reflects the county's exposure to multiple natural hazards, particularly tornadoes and flooding, making it one of North Dakota's most at-risk areas.

Highest risk county in North Dakota

Cass County's composite risk score of 82.38 dwarfs the state average of 22.19, making it the riskiest county in North Dakota by a substantial margin. This elevated risk stems from concentrated tornado and flood exposure across the county's populated areas.

Cass stands apart from surrounding counties

Cass County's risk profile is dramatically different from its neighbors: Emmons County (44.27) and Foster County (7.41) rank far below it. The stark contrast highlights how Cass's geography and weather patterns create uniquely elevated hazard exposure compared to neighboring regions.

Tornadoes and floods dominate your threats

Tornadoes present your most significant risk with a score of 89.69, while floods follow closely at 80.63—both well above typical ranges. Together, these two hazards account for the vast majority of Cass County's composite risk and demand the most attention in emergency preparedness.

Secure flood and tornado coverage now

Given your county's elevated tornado and flood risks, comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood coverage is essential—standard policies don't cover flood damage. Review your coverage today and consider a safe room or shelter plan to protect your family during severe weather events.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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