Cass County
IL · Pop. 12,826 · Suburban County
Cass County is a suburban county in Illinois, spanning 376 square miles with 12,826 residents at a density of 34.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $96,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F and average winter lows of 19.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Passavant Area Hospital is 15.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $96,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 10.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.1% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Passavant Area Hospital, is 15.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Cass County, IL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $96k
- Property tax
- 2.1%
- Growing season
- 172 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.8"
- Broadband
- 94.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Passavant Area Hospital, 15.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cass County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cass County?
- Cass County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $96,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.1%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Passavant Area Hospital is 15.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Illinois
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The closest counties to Cass County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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