Cass County
ND · Pop. 189,286 · Mixed County
Cass County is a mixed rural-suburban county in North Dakota, spanning 1,765 square miles with 189,286 residents at a density of 107.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $285,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.21% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 2.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sanford Medical Center Fargo is 18.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 2.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Cass County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 12/100
- Median home price
- $285k
- Property tax
- 1.21%
- Growing season
- 139 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.4"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Medical Center Fargo, 18.7 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 4a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 2.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $285,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.21%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Medical Center Fargo is 18.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 9 hospitals in the county.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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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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