Cass County, MO Shrink-Swell Risk

Cass County, MO's soil, for shrink-swell risk

High

Cass County, MO: USDA's soil survey rates 54.5% of the county "High" for shrink-swell potential (6.28% linear extensibility). Soil at this level can crack a standard foundation without moisture-control measures - consistent watering near the foundation, correct grading, root barriers - or added structural design.

What Cass County's reading doesn't cover

Two lots a mile apart in Cass County can carry different soil, even though they share one countywide reading. A local geotechnical report, typically $1,000-$5,000 (around $2,700 typical), is the only way to know what one lot in Cass County will actually do.

What it costs to find out, versus to ignore it

Given Cass County's rating, spending a few thousand now is the way to avoid spending tens of thousands later. The report ($1,000-$5,000) is what tells you whether Cass County's county-level reading applies to your lot; the repair ($5,000-$15,000) is what it costs if you skip that and find out from the cracks instead.

Where this sits nationally

Nationally, Cass County, MO is the 101-most-constrained of 3,085 rated counties for shrink-swell soil. Within Missouri alone it ranks 10 of 114. The county spans 697 square miles, home to 113,873 people.

For contrast

Orleans Parish, LA carries this site's most-constrained reading. Concho County, TX and Bledsoe County, TN are worth a look for comparison.

How this reading is built, and its real limits · The warning signs of expansive-clay damage, explained

More of Missouri

Every county in Missouri is on this site, including Buchanan County, MO and Maries County, MO. The full underlying dataset is downloadable directly, one row per county.