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Cass County, Missouri

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Parent: Kansas City, Missouri Hop 4
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Cass County, Missouri
CountyCass County
StateMissouri
Founded1835
SeatHarrisonville
Largest cityBelton
Area total sq mi702
Area land sq mi697
Area water sq mi4.6
Population as of2020
Population total107,824
Population density sq miauto
Time zoneCentral
Named forLewis Cass
DistrictMissouri's 4th congressional district

Cass County, Missouri is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. The county seat is Harrisonville, while its most populous city is Belton. Cass County was organized in 1835 and named for Lewis Cass, a Secretary of State and prominent political figure from Michigan.

History

The area that is now Cass County was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Osage. Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, American settlers began arriving, and the county was officially organized by the Missouri General Assembly in 1835 from parts of Jackson County. During the American Civil War, the county was deeply divided, experiencing significant guerrilla warfare as part of the bitter conflict along the Missouri-Kansas border; notable incidents included the 1863 Battle of Harrisonville. The arrival of the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Railway in the late 19th century spurred growth in towns like Archie and Peculiar. In the 20th century, the county transformed from a primarily agricultural economy to a suburban community, heavily influenced by its proximity to Kansas City and the expansion of the Interstate 49 corridor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 702 square miles, of which 697 square miles is land and 4.6 square miles is water. The county's terrain consists of rolling plains and is drained by several waterways, including the South Grand River and Marais des Cygnes River. It is bordered by Jackson County to the north, Johnson County to the east, Henry County to the southeast, and Bates County to the south, with the state of Kansas forming its western border. Major transportation routes include Interstate 49, U.S. Route 71, and Missouri Route 291.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 107,824, representing significant growth from 99,478 recorded in the 2010 United States census. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic white, with growing African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian communities. The population density was approximately 155 people per square mile. The largest age cohort is between 25 and 44 years old, reflecting the county's role as a suburban area for the Kansas City metropolitan area. The United States Census Bureau designates most of the county as part of the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government

Cass County operates under a constitutionally mandated county commission system, with three elected commissioners presiding over the Cass County Courthouse in Harrisonville. Other elected officials include a county assessor, a prosecuting attorney, and a sheriff. The county is part of Missouri's 4th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Mark Alford, and is split between several districts in the Missouri Senate and Missouri House of Representatives. At the federal level, it falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Economy

The economy of Cass County is diverse, with major sectors including logistics and distribution, healthcare, retail trade, and light manufacturing. Its location along key transportation corridors like Interstate 49 has made it a hub for warehousing and transportation companies serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. Major employers include the Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, the Belton Regional Medical Center, and large distribution centers for companies like Amazon and Walmart. Agriculture remains a visible part of the economy, with farms producing soybeans, corn, and supporting beef cattle operations.

Education

Public education is provided by several school districts, including the Belton School District 124, Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District, Harrisonville R-IX School District, and Sherwood Cass R-VIII School District. The county is also served by the Cass County Public Library system with branches in multiple communities. Post-secondary options include the University of Central Missouri, which has a satellite campus in the area, and proximity to institutions in the Kansas City metropolitan area like the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Metropolitan Community College. Vocational and technical training is available through the Cass Career Center in Harrisonville.

Communities

Cass County comprises a mix of cities, towns, and unincorporated communities. The largest city is Belton, followed by the county seat of Harrisonville. Other incorporated cities include Raymore, Pleasant Hill, Archie, Cleveland, Drexel, East Lynne, Freeman, Garden City, Lake Annette, Lake Winnebago, Lee's Summit (partially), and Peculiar. Notable unincorporated places include Austin, Coleman, and Dayton. Many of these communities have grown significantly as residential suburbs of Kansas City.

Category:Cass County, Missouri Category:1835 establishments in Missouri Category:Counties of the Kansas City metropolitan area