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Cass County

IA · Pop. 13,115 · Rural County

58/100Homestead Score

Cass County, Iowa covers 564 square miles with a population of 13,115 and a density of 23.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $133,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 12.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cass County Memorial Hospital is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.43%
Growing Season: 144 days
Broadband: 95.4%
Density: 23.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $133,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Cass County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 23.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.43% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Average winter lows of 12.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Cass County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
58/100
Median home price
$133k
Property tax
1.43%
Growing season
144 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
36.9"
Broadband
95.4%
Nearest hospital
Cass County Memorial Hospital, 5.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.43%
Median Household Income$61,657
Poverty Rate17.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$133K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season144 days
Annual Rainfall36.9 inches
Avg Summer High84.1°F
Avg Winter Low12.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCass County Memorial Hospital (5.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage95.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Cass County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Cass County?
Cass County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 12.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $133,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cass County Memorial Hospital is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.