County · Illinois
Cass County, Illinois
Cass County, Illinois. Cass County had 12,463 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 16 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 towns and townships) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 17017.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,463
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,042 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,784
Median household income
$68,125
±$4,852 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$97,100
±$4,542 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$723
±$88 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Cass County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 13,042 residents in Cass County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,463 for July 1, 2025, down 4.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,784 over 376 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cass County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,784 | 12,694,798 | +291 |
| Households | 5,128±148 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.07 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,676±27 | 5,457,452 | −146 |
Cass County's population since 2000
From 13,695 in 2000 to 12,463 in 2025: down 9.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cass County?
Cass County holds 16 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Beardstown Township with 6,448 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Beardstown Township | 6,719 | $60,576 |
|---|---|---|
| Beardstown | 5,951 | $60,587 |
| Virginia Township | 1,691 | $63,359 |
| Virginia | 1,514 | $59,375 |
| Ashland Township | 1,282 | $68,190 |
| Ashland | 1,218 | $68,060 |
| Bluff Springs TownshipGEOID 1701706938 | 886 | $122,143 |
| Arenzville Township | 742 | $61,250 |
| Chandlerville | 527 | $44,375 |
| Chandlerville Township | 458 | $44,063 |
| Arenzville | 367 | $80,750 |
| Hagener TownshipGEOID 1701732148 | 352 | $140,625 |
| Sangamon Valley TownshipGEOID 1701767600 | 330 | $128,505 |
| Panther Creek TownshipGEOID 1701757550 | 306 | $92,500 |
| Philadelphia TownshipGEOID 1701759481 | 208 | $155,625 |
| Newmansville TownshipGEOID 1701752662 | 68 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cass County?
The median resident of Cass County is 38.3 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 22.9%. 14.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cass County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3±0.9 | 39.0 | −1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.8 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 22.9% | 18.8% | +4.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.9%±0.4 pts | 58.1% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.9 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.2%±1.6 pts | 14.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.1%±1.9 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±1.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6%±1.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±1.5 pts | 6.9% | +2.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.4%±2.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.8%±2.7 pts | 37.8% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.7 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cass County earn?
Half of Cass County's 5,128 households earn less than $68,125 a year (±$4,852), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $64,455 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cass County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,125±$4,852 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,028±$5,517 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,954±$2,227 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±2.3 pts | 11.8% | −3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.5%±4.3 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7%±2.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.7%±2.9 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cass County?
Owners occupy 75.9% of Cass County's occupied homes and renters 24.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,100 by its owner (±$4,542). The median renter pays $723 a month including utilities, and 20.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cass County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $97,100±$4,542 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $723±$88 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.2%±7.7 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,195±$56 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.9%±3.1 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,676±27 | 5,457,452 | −146 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.7%±1.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.7%±6.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.2%±3.0 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0%±2.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.8%±3.1 pts | 20.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cass County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Cass County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cass County get to work?
80.0% of Cass County's workers drive alone and 5.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Cass County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.5%±2.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.0%±2.8 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.9%±2.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.7%±1.7 pts | 15.9% | +2.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±1.8 | 27.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cass County's census tracts?
Cass County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,932 (Tract 9605) to $74,335 (Tract 9603).
| Tract 960117017960100 | 1,912±211 | $64,333 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960217017960200 | 2,660±255 | $67,650 |
| Tract 960317017960300 | 2,924±301 | $74,335 |
| Tract 960417017960400 | 2,608±304 | $61,473 |
| Tract 960517017960500 | 2,680±325 | $60,932 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cass County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 81st of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 87th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 69th of 102 |
| Median household income | 46th of 102 |
| Median home value | 95th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 87th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 64th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 102 |
| Median age | 92nd of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cass County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.