City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Mason City, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Mason City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

27,135
Residents
$62,369
Median income
$130,000
Median home
$949
Median rent (state)

Mason City - the verdict

Mason City ranks in the 39th percentile for household income and the 22nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
22nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Mason City, IA

Iowa's Mason City is a small city, with 27,135 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Mason City brings in $62,369 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%. Typical homes in Mason City are valued around $130,000, and the median resident age is 43.0 years. About 21.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 14 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 27% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2546.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 45.6°F with 36.3 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $949 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 13.0 minutes, with 79.1% driving alone and 5.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 69.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

27,135 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$62,369 /yr

Poverty 7.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Mason City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Mason City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 22% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Iowa and the picture shifts: Mason City ranks #128 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Mason City's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

39thIncome percentile
22ndSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 22nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Mason City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Mason City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 49 Avg. percentile National median
Mason City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Mason City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$130,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Mason City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Mason City, IA Mason City, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mason City, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Mason City, IA median $62,369/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Mason City, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Mason City, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
27,135
Median Income
$62,369
Median Home Value
$130,000
Median Age
43.0
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor force participation
63.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2546.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
224.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2322.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.6°F
Annual Precipitation
36.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
26,800 residents27,000 residents27,200 residents27,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 27,280 residents 26,853 residents ▼ -1.6%
Mason City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 141
2021 6
2022 101
2023 18
2024 14

Permit volume increased 27% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.0 minutes
Drive Alone
79.1%
Carpool
10.8%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
1.3%

Based on 14,003 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Mason City sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$949/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Waukee
26,974 people
Marshalltown
27,491 people
Ottumwa
25,352 people
Fort Dodge
24,788 people
Clinton
24,425 people
Johnston
24,196 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mason City's 27,135 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Celina, TX
27,141 people
Lindenhurst, NY
27,106 people
Wethersfield, CT
27,180 people
Balch Springs, TX
27,181 people
Round Lake Beach, IL
27,081 people
Kent, OH
27,190 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mason City's $62,369 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Merkel, TX
$62,368 median income
Lexington, NE
$62,364 median income
Bellview, FL
$62,375 median income
Brookston, IN
$62,375 median income
Ithaca, MI
$62,375 median income
Rosholt, SD
$62,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mason City, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Mason City, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.5% White 88.4% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 5.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Mason City compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Mason City (this city) 27,135 $62,369
Waukee 26,974 $106,728
Marshalltown 27,491 $68,854
Ottumwa 25,352 $56,994
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mason City, IA?

What is the population of Mason City, IA? +

The population of Mason City, IA stands at 27,135 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Mason City, IA? +

Median annual household income in Mason City runs $62,369, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mason City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Mason City; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Mason City, IA safe? +

Mason City has a total crime rate of 2546.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Mason City, IA? +

The median home value in Mason City is $130,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Mason City? +

Mason City has an average annual temperature of 45.6°F, 36.3 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.