Cass County

General

Population: 26,598
Land area (sq. mi.): 557.35
Population per square mile: 47.7

Race & Age

Race 2020

White: 91.2%
African American: 0.4%
American Indian: 0.3%
Asian: 0.4%
Hispanic: 3.7%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Two or More Races: 3.6%

Age 2020

0-17: 23.2%
18-64: 58.6%
65+: 18.2%

Households

Total households:  10,315  2020
With one child:  1,400  2022
With 2+ children:  1,770  2022
With seniors (65+):  2,810  2022

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita:  $64,423  2021
% of Population in Poverty:  6.0%  2022
# of Housing Units:  11,623  2020
Owner-occupied rate:  82.9%  2020
Median home price:  $281,730  Q1 2024

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem):  71.3%  2021

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Library Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau (demographics), U.S. Census Bureau (municipalities)

Employment, Schools, and Child Care

Unemployment rate:  2.1%  Sept. 2024

County Employment Website:  https://www.casscountyne.gov/job-opportunities

High school graduate or higher:  94.6%  2020

School Districts:  Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools, Conestoga Public Schools, Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools, Nebraska City Public Schools, Louisville Public Schools, Plattsmouth Community Schools, Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Schools, Waverly School District 145, Weeping Water Public Schools 

Bachelor's degree or higher:  29.4%  2020

Community College Service Area:  Southeast College

Countywide child care capacity:  23 providers; 968 children  2024

Find child care:  For a list of child care providers in your zip code, visit Nebraska DHHS or the Nebraska Resource and Referral System.

Cass County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP):  $1,045,904,000  2022

Sole Proprietorship (Nonfarm) Receipts/Sales:  $178,459,247  2021

Wage (Nonfarm) Income:  $687,867,000  2022

Farm & Ranch Receipts Reported:  $13,178,000  2022

Cattle Producers:  173

• Pastureland Cash Rent (avg.):  $52/acre/yr  2024

Crop Producers:  37

• Dryland Land Cash Rent (avg.):  $240/acre/yr  2024

Grain Elevators by Location (bushels capacity): 

• Avoca: Frontier (211,120)
• Eagle: Frontier (409,844)
• Elmwood: Frontier (3,222,458)
• Greenwood: Frontier (4,298,351)
• Manley: Frontier (1,029,547)
• Murdock: Frontier (721,616)
• Plattsmouth: Frontier (2,367,694)
• (1 bushel = 56 lbs. corn/sorghum, 60 lbs. soybeans/wheat; % max. moisture = 18% beans, 15.5% corn, 14% sorghum/soybeans, 13.5% wheat)

Railroad Miles:  104.12 main, 20.29 side

• Places with Railroad Service:  Cedar Creek, Cullom, Greenwood, Louisville, Manley, Murray, Nehawka, Plattsmouth, South Bend, Weeping Water

Local Grain Market:  Click for today's grain prices in Cass County

Farmers Markets:

• Eagle Farmers Market (May 30 - August 29, Thursdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) (Closed July 4)
• Farmers Market at The Hop Yard (May - October, Thursday evenings)
• Plattsmouth Downtown Farmers Market (June - October, Saturdays)

Electricity Providers:  Nebraska PPD, Omaha PPD, Village of Greenwood

Well Locations (Irrigation/Livestock), Soils, Groundwater & Surface Water

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells:  58  2024

Agricultural Wells per Square Mile:  4.58  2024

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation):  153  2024

Click for real time:

Stream data on Salt Creek at Greenwood

Stream data on Weeping Water Creek at Union

Groundwater level data 1/4 mi. west of Elmwood

Groundwater level data in Greenwood

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA), Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Power Review Board, Nebraska Public Service Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of the Treasury (IRS), Warehouse and Commodity Management Division (USDA)

2023 Levies and Valuations

County levy rate: $0.3218 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied: $14,594,979

Total local government property taxes levied: $78,357,789

Total countywide taxable valuation: $4,535,329,271

Federal PILT payment to Cass County (FY2024): $8,149 regarding 2,434 federally-owned acres

Click here for all levy rates in Cass County

County Levy and Taxation Laws

Levy limits

Since 1996, counties and other political subdivisions have been subject to the levy limits listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3442 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3443.

Statutes and regulations

Nebraska Revised Statutes (Chapter 77)

Nebraska Administrative Code (Title 350)

Local tax reductions, exemptions, and credits:

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-902(5)(a) (Deed "stamp tax" exemption): "The [stamp tax] shall not apply to: ... (5)(a) Deeds between spouses, between ex-spouses for the purpose of conveying any rights to property acquired or held during the marriage, or between parent and child, without actual consideration therefor."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-201(2) (Valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land): "Agricultural land and horticultural land as defined in section 77-1359 shall constitute a separate and distinct class of property for purposes of property taxation, shall be subject to taxation, unless expressly exempt from taxation, and shall be valued at seventy-five percent of its actual value, except that for school district taxes levied to pay the principal and interest on bonds that are approved by a vote of the people on or after January 1, 2022, such land shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-6703(1) (Tax credit for school district taxes paid): "(1) For taxable years beginning or deemed to begin on or after January 1, 2020, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, there shall be allowed to each eligible taxpayer a refundable credit against the income tax imposed by the Nebraska Revenue Act of 1967 or against the franchise tax imposed by sections 77-3801 to 77-3807. The credit shall be equal to the credit percentage for the taxable year, as set by the department under subsection (2) of this section, multiplied by the amount of school district taxes paid by the eligible taxpayer during such taxable year."

Sources: Nebraska Department of Revenue

State Senator: Robert Clements (District 2)

Standing Committees (click for scheduled committee hearings): 

• Appropriations (chairperson)
• Nebraska Retirement Systems

Select Committees:

• Executive Board (ex officio)
• Reference (ex officio)

Special Committees: 

• Building Maintenance
• Legislative Performance Audit
• Legislature's Planning

Map and statistics for Legislative District 2

Map of all districts in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Cass County History

Number of Registered Historic Places: 31

Year Authorized: 1855

Year Organized: 1855

Etymology: Lewis Cass (U.S. Secretary of State)

     Decades before Cass County’s formal organization, the area’s natural resources (especially its abundant water) drew multiple Native American tribes to the banks near the Missouri and Platte rivers. Such overlaps in territory led to conflicts, including a clash between the Omahas and the Otoes reputed to be one of the largest battles between Native American tribes.

     The first white settlers in Cass County were trappers, hunters, and fur traders who were similarly attracted to the area by the abundant wildlife and fertile soil. During the 1850s and 1860s, the population of Cass County grew rapidly as homesteaders and farmers moved into the area. In the 1870s and 1880s, the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad facilitated the movement of people and goods, leading to further growth and development in the county.

     One of the most important infrastructure events in the history of Cass County was the construction of the Plattsmouth Bridge, which was completed in 1872. The bridge, which was built over the Missouri River, connected Plattsmouth to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and provided a crucial transportation link between the two states. The Plattsmouth Bridge was a major factor in the development of Plattsmouth (which would become the county seat) as a regional commercial and transportation center.

     The creation of the Plattsmouth State Bank in 1872 was also an important development. This was the first bank in the county and played a key role in the county's economic development, helping to finance the construction of many of the county's early businesses, farms, and homes. The Plattsmouth State Bank is still in operation today and is one of the oldest banks in Nebraska.

     In recent years, Cass County has experienced significant growth and development. The county has attracted many new residents, businesses, and industries, and has become a popular place to live and work. The county is home to many schools, parks, and recreational opportunities, and has a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Cass County is also known for its beautiful natural areas, including the Platte River and the Missouri River, which provide excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.

Highlight an important program in your county in this space! Send an email to:

luke.bonkiewicz@nebraskacounties.org

Local Highlights

License Plate Number:  20

Time Zone:  Central

Number of Veterans:  2,564  2023

Zoned County:  Yes

Number of County-Owned Bridges:  195

Number of County-Owned Dams:  2

Election Data

General Election Turnout %:  81.52%  2024

Total Registered Voters:  19,678  2024

Number of Precincts:  30  2022

Number of Election Day Polling Places:  25  2022

Land Area per Polling Place:  21.44 sq. miles

Intergovernmental Data

Emergency Mgt. Planning, Exercise and Training (PET) Region: Southeast

Natural Resource Districts: Lower Platte South NRD, Nemaha NRD

State Lands (acres): Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (673.10), Louisville SRA (192.37), Platte River Rest Area EB (36.8), Platte River State Park (452.50), Rakes Creek WMA (316), Randall W. Schilling WMA (1,754.80)

Federal Lands (acres): Civil Bend (393), Van Horn's Bend (533), William Gilmour/Tobacco Island (1,649)

Sources: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Secretary of State, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)