County · Washington
Mason County, Washington
Mason County, Washington. Mason County had 71,165 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.3% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough and 6 census-designated) and 19 census tracts. GEOID 53045.
Mason County is the county of the Shelton, WA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
71,165
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 65,726 · ACS 2020-2024: 67,982
Median household income
$83,270
±$4,720 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$411,800
±$13,841 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,285
±$99 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Mason County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 65,726 residents in Mason County. The Census Bureau estimates 71,165 for July 1, 2025, up 8.3% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 67,982 over 960 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mason County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 67,982 | 7,816,116 | +4,178 |
| Households | 26,029±620 | 3,064,820 | +1,751 |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.06 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 34,152±49 | 3,306,620 | +649 |
Mason County's population since 2000
From 49,405 in 2000 to 71,165 in 2025: up 44.0%. 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 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Shelton with 10,921 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 44.7 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 24.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.8%. 7.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mason County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7±0.4 | 38.3 | −0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 19.5%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.2%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.8% | 14.4% | +2.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.9%±0.7 pts | 63.1% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.7%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.0%±0.8 pts | 15.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.5%±1.0 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.7%±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 19.4%±1.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7%±1.0 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.6%±1.1 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.9%±1.5 pts | 39.6% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.7%±0.9 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 26,029 households earn less than $83,270 a year (±$4,720), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,930 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,340 after inflation. 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mason County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,270±$4,720 | $98,141 | +$12,340 |
| Mean household income | $100,630±$4,068 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,551±$1,425 | $53,744 | +$4,031 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.3%±1.5 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±4.0 pts | 11.6% | −9.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.2%±1.6 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.9%±1.4 pts | 93.6% | – |
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 82.3% of Mason County's occupied homes and renters 17.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $411,800 by its owner (±$13,841). The median renter pays $1,285 a month including utilities, and 38.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mason County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $411,800±$13,841 | $564,600 | +$133,048 |
| Median gross rent | $1,285±$99 | $1,760 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.9%±6.1 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,967±$46 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.3%±2.1 pts | 63.8% | +4.9 pts |
| Housing units | 34,152±49 | 3,306,620 | +649 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2%±2.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.4%±1.6 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.4%±1.4 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.5%±0.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
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 204 new housing units across Mason County in 2025 (200 single-family), 2.9 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?
70.9% of Mason County's workers drive alone and 14.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Mason County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.3%±1.3 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%±1.4 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.9%±2.5 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7%±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.5%±1.9 pts | 19.8% | +8.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.1 min±2.2 | 26.6 min | +3.0 min |
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 19 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,056 (Tract 9608) to $138,063 (Tract 9604.02).
| Tract 940053045940000 | 691±165 | $63,571 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960153045960100 | 953±227 | $69,881 |
| Tract 9602.0153045960201 | 1,950±460 | $64,680 |
| Tract 9602.0253045960202 | 3,595±610 | $74,375 |
| Tract 9603.0153045960301 | 2,350±444 | $62,042 |
| Tract 9603.0253045960302 | 4,845±640 | $89,125 |
| Tract 9604.0153045960401 | 5,347±867 | $94,948 |
| Tract 9604.0253045960402 | 2,258±460 | $138,063 |
| Tract 9604.0353045960403 | 2,997±554 | $83,095 |
| Tract 960553045960500 | 6,273±685 | $98,135 |
| Tract 960653045960600 | 5,533±737 | $86,176 |
| Tract 960753045960700 | 1,637±398 | $82,028 |
| Tract 960853045960800 | 3,883±444 | $58,056 |
| Tract 960953045960900 | 4,881±488 | $72,708 |
| Tract 961053045961000 | 5,284±774 | $125,244 |
| Tract 9611.0153045961101 | 2,541±433 | $71,351 |
| Tract 9611.0253045961102 | 4,657±650 | $60,298 |
| Tract 961253045961200 | 4,146±600 | $96,020 |
| Tract 961353045961300 | 4,161±563 | $76,611 |
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 Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th of 39 |
| Median household income | 13th of 39 |
| Median home value | 18th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 15th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 39 |
| Median age | 16th of 39 |
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.