1st Advantage MortgageAbout 52% of Cass County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $75,555. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Cass County
- Paychecks and income spread in Cass County
- The Cass County job picture
- What it costs to live in Cass County
- How Cass County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cass County
- Who lives in Cass County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Cass County
- Room for a loan payment in Cass County
- Licensing and complaints for Cass County
- Steps before you apply in Cass County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Cass County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Cass County's population at 193,400, the largest in North Dakota. Land area is 1,765 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 110 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Fargo is the biggest of its 28 Census places, at roughly 131,627 people (68% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Cass County
At $75,555, the typical Cass County household income is 15% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 23rd of 53.
| Households earning | Cass County | +/- vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | -0.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.9% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.5% | +0.9 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 37% clear $100,000. 11.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cass County median.
The Cass County job picture
The biggest employer of Cass County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Professional and administrative services stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.0% in Cass County. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Sector | Cass County | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.9% | +3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What it costs to live in Cass County
Renters in Cass County pay a median of $958 a month, in line with North Dakota's $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. Home values center on $298,000, or 3.9 years of median income. 52% of Cass County households own their home and 48% rent. The median year built is 1993.
| Measure | Cass County | North Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $958/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $298,000 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 52% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 12% | n/a |
For the many renters in Cass County, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short.
How Cass County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 36 to 46 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Traill County leads the group on income ($87,004), Barnes County trails ($68,038), and Cass County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Minnesota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | - | $75,555 | $958/mo | 52% |
| Clay County, MN | 36 mi | $81,172 | $1,019/mo | 66% |
| Traill County, ND | 36 mi | $87,004 | $717/mo | 74% |
| Ransom County, ND | 38 mi | $75,736 | $691/mo | 75% |
| Barnes County, ND | 39 mi | $68,038 | $779/mo | 71% |
| Steele County, ND | 42 mi | $77,500 | $738/mo | 78% |
| Norman County, MN | 46 mi | $72,260 | $774/mo | 79% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cass County
28 Census places fall mainly inside Cass County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 186,884 residents, leaving about 3% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Reile's Acres has the highest median household income on the list ($192,500) and Fargo the lowest ($66,998), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 28 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | city | 131,627 | $66,998 | $946 | 20 mi |
| West Fargo | city | 40,094 | $90,665 | $1,111 | 17 mi |
| Horace | city | 4,588 | $138,578 | $2,146 | 20 mi |
| Casselton | city | 2,953 | $73,259 | $814 | 3 mi |
| Mapleton | city | 1,352 | $119,432 | $1,042 | 10 mi |
| Reile's Acres | city | 1,032 | $192,500 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Kindred | city | 996 | $105,104 | $619 | 22 mi |
| Harwood | city | 819 | $145,139 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Argusville | city | 584 | $162,734 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Oxbow | city | 491 | $210,417 | n/a | 27 mi |
| Arthur | city | 392 | $88,393 | $645 | 12 mi |
| Hunter | city | 292 | $74,583 | $650 | 18 mi |
| Leonard | city | 248 | $59,722 | $572 | 19 mi |
| Davenport | city | 245 | $85,625 | n/a | 17 mi |
Who lives in Cass County, in numbers
43% of Cass County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.5%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| People and households | Cass County | North Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 42.6% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.0% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.0% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Cass County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Cass County
Based on the Cass County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Cass County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Cass County borrower sees (free reports).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Cass County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Cass County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Cass County: $6,296
- 15% goes to median rent ($958)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,246 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,875 a month
If your rent is above $958, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Licensing and complaints for Cass County
Consumer lenders serving Cass County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Dakota that is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
Steps before you apply in Cass County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Cass County:
- Price the Cass County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Cass County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cass County a high-income county?
Its $75,555 median ranks 23rd of 53 North Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Cass County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $958 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Cass County?
By population: Fargo, West Fargo, Horace, Casselton, Mapleton. The county has 28 Census places in all.
Can Cass County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every North Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Cass County check a lender's license?
With the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.