RANK #79 / 996 · POP 51,604 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.1%
A notable feature of Cass County, Michigan, is its abundance of inland lakes, attracting residents and visitors for boating and fishing. Located in Southwest Michigan along the Indiana border, the county offers a rural atmosphere while remaining accessible to larger cities like South Bend, Indiana, less than an hour away. Commute times within the county average around 22.6 minutes. The area is characterized by a blend of agricultural landscapes and recreational opportunities, with parks like Dr. T.K. Lawless Park providing hiking, biking, and stargazing.
Life in Cass County often appeals to those seeking a quieter environment, including retirees and families desiring more space without major metropolitan congestion. The local economy relies on agriculture, small manufacturing, and tourism. Recent economic development efforts have focused on attracting high-tech businesses, with investments in infrastructure to support sectors like solar, fiber optics, and data hosting. Educational opportunities include several public school districts, such as Edwardsburg Public Schools and Dowagiac Union Schools, and Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Indeck Niles Energy Center
Indeck Niles, LLC
|
$1,174M | Operating |
|
Dowagiac AI Data Center Expansion
Ault Alliance (Hyperscale Data)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
NextEra Energy Resources Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
Steelhead Solar
Ranger Power
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Gemstone Solar
Wolverine Power Cooperative and Clēnera
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Cass County Solar (Ranger Power)
Ranger Power
|
$120M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cass County has a Boom Town Index score of 92/100, ranking #79 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $65,183, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Cass County is $181,100 with median rent at $835/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3599, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed +5.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.9% of Cass County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.