Cass Lake, MN

Minnesota

Cass Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 492. Residents earn $47,045 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
492 Population 451/sq mi density
$47,045 Median Income $20,471 per capita
$109,100 Home Value $226,689 Zillow
$730 Median Rent 18.0% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$47,045 median income, 10.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$109,100 home value, $730/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,045
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $109,100
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $730
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.8%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.4%
189% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.5%
65% higher than US avg

How Cass Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population492
Median Age34.8 yrs
Density451/mi²
Male / Female44% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 13%
Veterans5.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$47,045
Per Capita$20,471
Unemployment10.4%
Poverty20.5%
County GDP$968M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$109,100
Rent$730
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,689
Rent Burden18.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease8.2%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain26.5 in/yr
Elevation1,336 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+81.7%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute13 min
Broadband81.4%
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Cass Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cass Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Cass Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cass Lake is $47,045, 37% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.4%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 20.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cass Lake is $109,100, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $730 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Cass Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.5 inches, including 48.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Cass Lake has a population of 492 with a density of 451 people per square mile. The median age is 34.8 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (79.1%), with 13% White.

Population

492
Total Population
451
People / sq mi
34.8yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.5%
Female 56.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Cass Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cass Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cass Lake is $47,045, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Cass Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,045
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,471
Avg Weekly Wage$894
IRS Avg AGI$68,529

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.4%
189% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.5%
65% above US avg
Establishments (County)684
County GDP$968M

Business (County)

Restaurants82
Healthcare56
Retail109
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.2 min
Drive Alone57.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Cass Lake is $109,100, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $730 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,689.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$109,100
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,689

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$46
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio76.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$730
37% below US avg
Rent Burden18.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied27.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Rate3.80%
In Cass Lake, 44.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.3% report depression. 36.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cass Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.8%
40% above US avg
Diabetes16.8%
Heart Disease8.2%
High Blood Pressure36.0%
Asthma13.7%
COPD9.1%
Stroke5.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity36.4%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress22.6%
Physical Distress18.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.3%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death6,268/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access56.6%
Healthcare Facilities56

Crime Rates: Cass Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Cass Lake has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.0°F
26% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.5 inches
30% below US avg
Snowfall48.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,336 ft (407 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density451/sq mi
Coordinates47.3797°N, 94.5994°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.5-point margin. 81.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.9%
D 33.4%

Winner: Republican by 31.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+81.7%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density451/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.4%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants82
Retail Stores109

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.2 min
Drive Alone57.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

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