Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 87% of counties in Iowa
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Cass County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,203 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,831 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cass County is about 15% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Cass County (4.6%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Cass County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2010–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Cass County, Iowa grew by 51.7% from 2010 to 2023, reaching $62,203 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cass County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cass County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.485 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,159 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,505 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.1% | 21.5% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Cass County, it is 0.485, lower than Iowa's 0.518, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in Cass County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $477,890 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Cass County, Iowa has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 23%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,908 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cass County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.1% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 8 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 76 people are unemployed in Cass County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Cass County is 8 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cass County, Iowa has fallen from 5.2% to 1.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cass County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Iowa, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cass County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Cass County, Iowa?
Cass County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $62,203, about 15% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Cass County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cass County, Iowa is $62,203.
What was the median household income in Cass County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cass County, Iowa was $62,203.
What was the median household income in Cass County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cass County, Iowa was $52,701.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cass County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Cass County is 0.485. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Cass County, Iowa?
The income gap between men and women in Cass County, Iowa has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 23%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,908 since 2009.