Population 67,982 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Mason County
Household size in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Mason County average 2.62 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Households are largest in the south and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.9 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.1 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.8, Mason County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 44.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in ten households in Mason County (9.2%), below the national share of 11.6%. Washington as a whole looks much the same.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Mason County
Renters in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.8% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.7% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Mason County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than a third of owners (35.8%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Only one other Washington county has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.2% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Mason County: 18.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Mason County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the south has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $838 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $930 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,051 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,315 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$477 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in Mason County runs $1,315 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $477 a month from 2006–10, a 57% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Mason County
Bachelor's degrees in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.0% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Mason County: 21.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.1% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Mason County is close to the national rate: 89.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Washington overall (91.9%). The share with a diploma has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Mason County
| Period | Mason County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 6.0%, unemployment in Mason County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Washington overall (5.1%). Unemployment has fallen 5.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Mason County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | 2.62 | 45.8 | 9.2% | 17.7% | 18.9% | 1989 | $1,315 | 21.0% | 89.8% | 6.0% |
| Thurston County | 2.55 | 40.8 | 9.8% | 32.3% | 5.8% | 1990 | $1,838 | 38.2% | 94.7% | 5.0% |
| Kitsap County | 2.56 | 41.6 | 10.0% | 29.9% | 8.4% | 1984 | $1,936 | 37.2% | 95.4% | 4.6% |
| Pierce County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 12.3% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1984 | $1,975 | 30.6% | 92.4% | 5.3% |
| Grays Harbor County | 2.53 | 44.5 | 12.5% | 26.8% | 13.8% | 1969 | $1,074 | 17.7% | 89.0% | 7.1% |
| King County | 2.53 | 38.6 | 7.8% | 44.6% | 7.0% | 1981 | $2,293 | 55.7% | 93.4% | 5.0% |
| Kittitas County | 2.35 | 39.1 | 6.9% | 38.5% | 15.1% | 1990 | $1,542 | 38.6% | 94.1% | 5.5% |
| Chelan County | 2.61 | 41.4 | 9.6% | 35.4% | 14.2% | 1981 | $1,300 | 30.8% | 86.3% | 3.9% |
| Douglas County | 2.76 | 39.5 | 14.3% | 30.7% | 10.6% | 1986 | $1,489 | 21.7% | 82.4% | 3.7% |
| Grant County | 2.85 | 35.2 | 15.8% | 33.7% | 10.1% | 1986 | $1,156 | 19.0% | 81.7% | 6.2% |
| Adams County | 3.34 | 29.5 | 13.0% | 30.7% | 8.6% | 1976 | $933 | 14.8% | 64.4% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Belmont County, OH · Blue Earth County, MN · Boone County, IN · Oxford County, ME · Oldham County, KY · Pearl River County, MS · Pender County, NC · Pickaway County, OH · Pike County, KY · Pike County, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Mason County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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