1st Advantage MortgageIn Cass County, Missouri, the typical household earns $87,535 a year and the typical rent is $1,205. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Cass County, MO: the basics
- What it costs to live in Cass County
- Household income in Cass County
- How Cass County residents earn a living
- How Cass County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Cass County
- More Cass County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Cass County
- Budget math at the Cass County median
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Cass County, MO: the basics
Roughly 110,773 residents live in Cass County, Missouri, 10th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 697 square miles, that is close to 159 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan area. Belton is the biggest of its 20 Census places, at roughly 25,008 people (23% of the county total).
What it costs to live in Cass County
Renters in Cass County pay a median of $1,205 a month, 17% above the Missouri figure of $1,033. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $292,400, or 3.3 years of median income. 76% of Cass County households own their home and 24% rent.
| Housing | Cass County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,205/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $292,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Household income in Cass County
Half of Cass County households take in less than $87,535 a year and half take in more, 24% above the Missouri median of $70,702. In the state ranking that is 5th of 115.
| Income band | Share in Cass County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.9% | -8.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.6% | +8.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.0% | +1.3 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 44% clear $100,000. 6.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.407 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Cass County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Cass County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward construction (9% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.2% in Cass County. About 76% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Cass County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | -1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.1% | +1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Cass County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (25 to 35 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Cass County; Johnson County is highest at $109,208 and Henry County lowest at $57,926. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Cass County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | - | $87,535 | $1,205/mo | 76% |
| Jackson County, MO | 25 mi | $68,577 | $1,197/mo | 59% |
| Miami County, KS | 26 mi | $89,000 | $1,107/mo | 78% |
| Bates County, MO | 27 mi | $60,733 | $786/mo | 75% |
| Johnson County, MO | 30 mi | $67,272 | $932/mo | 64% |
| Johnson County, KS | 30 mi | $109,208 | $1,434/mo | 69% |
| Henry County, MO | 35 mi | $57,926 | $768/mo | 75% |
The communities that make up Cass County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 20 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Cass County residents live in one of the 20. Loch Lloyd has the highest median household income on the list ($183,958) and Drexel the lowest ($54,519), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Cass County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belton | city | 25,008 | $69,226 | $1,290 | 15 mi |
| Raymore | city | 24,526 | $104,447 | $1,303 | 12 mi |
| Harrisonville | city | 9,970 | $62,473 | $944 | 0 mi |
| Pleasant Hill | city | 8,847 | $95,602 | $1,174 | 12 mi |
| Peculiar | city | 5,958 | $94,519 | $1,275 | 8 mi |
| Lake Winnebago | city | 1,773 | $178,565 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Garden City | city | 1,742 | $65,260 | $925 | 10 mi |
| Archie | city | 1,322 | $68,750 | $1,005 | 11 mi |
| Cleveland | city | 968 | $86,493 | $1,123 | 13 mi |
| Loch Lloyd | village | 950 | $183,958 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Drexel | city | 924 | $54,519 | $845 | 17 mi |
| Freeman | city | 690 | $72,125 | $983 | 8 mi |
| Creighton | city | 302 | $58,750 | $625 | 18 mi |
| East Lynne | city | 155 | $56,875 | $625 | 7 mi |
More Cass County figures
College graduates make up 30% of the adult population. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Cass County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.7% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.9% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.7% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Cass County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Cass County borrowers.
- Long drives. With 18% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Cass County budgets.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 44% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Renters under pressure. When 46% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Budget math at the Cass County median
Cass County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $7,295 gross per month ($87,535 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,205, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,421 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,932 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Cass County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Cass County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Cass County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Cass County household make?
About $87,535 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% above the Missouri median.
Is Cass County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,205 against $1,033 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Cass County?
By population: Belton, Raymore, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, Peculiar. The county has 20 Census places in all.
Will a Cass County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Cass County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Missouri it is the Missouri Division of Finance.