County · Kentucky
Mason County, Kentucky
Mason County, Kentucky. Mason County had 16,936 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 21161.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,936
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,120 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,956
Median household income
$52,178
±$4,215 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$161,500
±$18,146 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$727
±$51 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Mason County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,120 residents in Mason County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,936 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,956 over 240 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mason County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,956 | 4,534,824 | −156 |
| Households | 7,131±241 | 1,814,469 | +431 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.08 | 2.43 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 8,190±27 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Mason County's population since 2000
From 16,800 in 2000 to 16,936 in 2025: up 0.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Mason County?
Mason County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Maysville with 8,688 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Maysville | 8,873 | $39,013 |
|---|---|---|
| Mays LickGEOID 2151006 | 252 | not published |
| DoverGEOID 2122222 | 221 | $70,962 |
| GermantownGEOID 2130718 | 146 | $77,000 |
| SardisGEOID 2168646 | 60 | $55,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mason County?
The median resident of Mason County is 42.5 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.9%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mason County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5±0.8 | 39.1 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.3 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7%±1.0 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% | 5.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.9%±0.6 pts | 81.5% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.9%±0.7 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±1.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 22.1%±2.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±1.2 pts | 6.0% | −3.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.3%±2.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.0%±2.6 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8%±2.0 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mason County earn?
Half of Mason County's 7,131 households earn less than $52,178 a year (±$4,215), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $55,845 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mason County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,178±$4,215 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $72,212±$6,546 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,189±$2,639 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.8%±2.9 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.0%±7.0 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.6%±3.4 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.0%±3.4 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mason County?
Owners occupy 66.1% of Mason County's occupied homes and renters 33.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $161,500 by its owner (±$18,146). The median renter pays $727 a month including utilities, and 38.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mason County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $161,500±$18,146 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $727±$51 | $967 | −$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.1%±7.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,245±$110 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.1%±3.3 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,190±27 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±1.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8%±2.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.6%±3.6 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.5%±1.8 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.3%±2.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Mason County building?
Builders took permits for 26 new housing units across Mason County in 2025 (26 single-family), 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mason County get to work?
81.8% of Mason County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Mason County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.6%±2.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±1.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8%±3.4 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.9%±2.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±2.3 pts | 10.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 min±3.2 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Mason County's census tracts?
Mason County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,620 (Tract 9602) to $68,233 (Tract 9604).
| Tract 960121161960100 | 2,794±381 | $53,487 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960221161960200 | 3,498±388 | $27,620 |
| Tract 960321161960300 | 3,866±417 | $53,083 |
| Tract 960421161960400 | 4,881±465 | $68,233 |
| Tract 960521161960500 | 1,917±305 | $64,474 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mason County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 67th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 86th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st of 120 |
| Median household income | 74th of 120 |
| Median home value | 54th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 78th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 120 |
| Median age | 33rd of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mason County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.