Cass County is in the northeastern region of Texas, with Louisiana and Arkansas bordering it on the east. The County’s seat is Linden, located in the south-central position. Linden lies 14 miles southwest of Atlanta, which is the County’s largest town.

Linden, Queen City, and Atlanta are connected to the south with Jefferson through US highway 59 and to Texarkana to the north. Cass County is also served by State highways 155, 77, 11, and 8. The County is also crossed by the Louisiana and Arkansas rail line and the Missouri Pacific.

Topography of Cass County

Nine hundred thirty-seven miles of Cass County is covered with East Texas timberlands. The region has a dense forest cover containing different hardwood and softwood trees, commonly cypress, oak, and pine.

Cass County terrain is averagely flat and hilly at some points with an elevation gain between 200 – 632 feet ASL. The western part of the County has several stony hills which rise from a minimum of 200 feet. The hills contain ironstone material which protects the hills from erosion. Cusseta Mountains is the largest among these hills, located five miles east of Marietta.

The Sulphur River drains northern Cass County, and Cypress Creek drains the remaining area. A larger size of the County is covered in light-colored loamy and sandy soils. 21 to 31 percent of the County is deemed prime farmland.

Cass County temperature ranges from an average of 92℉ in July and 31℉ in January. Rainfall averages 47 inches annually, and the growing season is 237 on average.

Cass County Attractions

Cass County has some attractions that both tourists and residents can visit. They include the Dowagiac Area History Museum, which highlights the history of Dowagiac and Sister Lakes. The museum has interactive components that are friendly for visitors of any age. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm. On Saturdays, it is open from 10 am to 2 pm.

Other attractions in Cass County are the Dowagiac Woods which majorly consists of nature and wildlife. There are also farm attractions such as Sprague’s Family Fun Farm.

More attractions include:

The Old Rugged Cross Church: Cathedrals and Churches
Heddon Museum: Speciality Museum
Diamond Lake
Four Winds Casino: Casinos
Swiss Valley Ski Area: Snowboard and Ski areas
Beckwith Theatre Company: Theatres
The Bonnie House: History Museum
Pioneer Log Cabin Museum: Speciality Museum.

You can also visit Fred Russ Forest and Dr. T.K Lawless nature parks.

Living in Cass County

Cass County is at its best during October, April, and May, while July and August are the least comfortable.

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Cass County is 75.9, while in Texas, it is 93.9. The index means that the cost of living in the County is low compared to Texas. Here is a comparison of some items used to come up with the tally.

Groceries in Cass County 90.4, Texas 93.7, Health 101.2, Texas 95.4, Transportation 76.5, Texas 103.3, Housing 43.5, Texas 84.3 Median home cost $112,900, Texas $243,600. Compared to the US cost of living(100), Cass County is quite cheap.

Job Market

The job market in Cass County compared to the US is slightly low. The income per Cap. is $22,145, while in the US, it is $31,177. The household income is $41,432 and the US $57,652.

The unemployment rate is relatively high at 8.4 while the US is at 6. The latest job growth rate is -4.58%, while in the US 6%. Cass County job growth is expected to be 27.04%, while in the US, 33.51%. In the recent past, job growth in Cass County has been positive. Job availability has increased by 1.2%.

Crime rate

The crime rate in Cass County is 30.3 for property crime and US 35.4. Violent crime in Cass County is ranked at 20.0 while in the US 22.7. Cass County does not have FBI crime statistics.

Education

Cass County schools use $9,729 per learner. The US average is $12,383. Each teacher has 13 students, while librarians have 336 students and counselors, each 661.

Health in Cass County

Health factor in a county is evaluated using different elements. It entails details such as water and air quality. There are 40 medical practitioners for every 100,000 in Cass County.

The health cost index is at 101.2, slightly above the US(100.0). The water quality index is 50(100 is best), the US average is 55. Superfund index is at 97 while US 87. The air quality index is 54, while the US is 58.

Cass County Offices

Cass County has several county offices, including the county judge, commissioner, clerk, auditor, tax collector, treasurer, sheriff, and peace justice.

Cass County Judge is Judge Becky Wilbanks. Cass County Judge’s office is located in Linden, Texas. You can contact the office through phone: 903-756-5181 or fax: 903-756-5732.

Cass County Commissioners Court has four precinct commissioners: Judge Becky Wilbanks, Danny Joe Shaddix, Paul Cothren, and Darrel Godwin. You can contact the precinct two commissioner through phone:903-835-5761; they share the same fax contact with the county judge, Precinct 3 Phone: 903-796-4502 and Precinct 4 phone: 903-796-2766 or fax: 903-796-2766.

Cass County Clerk is Amy L. Varnell and is assisted by the following deputies: Cindy Waters, Evelyn Charleston, Evette Hamilton, and April Grigsby. You can contact the office through phone: 903-756-5071, fax: 903-756-5071, or email: [email protected].

The County Clerk’s office is not authorized to do any searches, including genealogy, except federal tax search. The search is done in the office, not on the website. The office is open from Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 4.30 pm, and on Friday, the office closes at 3.30 pm. Between noon to 1 pm, the office is closed for a break.

The county treasurer is Melissa Shores, assisted by her deputy Ann Rieger. You can contact the office through phone: 903-756-7626 or fax: 903-756-8018. Cass County assessor or collector is Angela Young, and her office contacts are 903-756-5513 on the phone or 430-218-8366 on the fax. For information details about Cass County Offices, you visit the County’s website.