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CITY · 2010 ACS

Mason City

Iowa · 28,079 residents · 27.856 sq mi
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The short version

Mason City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $40,706. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value is $97,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,079
−4%since 2000
from 29,172 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,008 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 1,047 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.9
+7%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
27K27K28K29K29K1990201020202024Mason City
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,706
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,852 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,277
+28%since 2000
from $18,899 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
21.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,300
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$568
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $405 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
42.7%
−24.7 ptssince 2000
from 67.4% in 2000
32.8% rent
Vacancy rate
5.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
22.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.4
+12%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mason City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(27,237)
Black1.1%(332)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(1,005)
Asian0.8%(221)
Other0%
Diversity Score13%(3,788)
2010
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(25,450)
Black1.7%(487)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(1,419)
Asian0.9%(242)
Other2.1%(588)
Diversity Score22.7%(6,366)
Diversity Score
23
+75%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 86.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.4 min
+31%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 79.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.3%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.5%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Mason City

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Pop 25,483
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Pop 28,537
Temple Terrace
Pop 27,075
Places similar to Mason City
Head to head

Compare Mason City to nearby cities

MASON CITY VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+59%
Home value$157,500+62%
Population18,217−32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Austin
Income$68,057+67%
Home value$163,900+68%
Population26,689−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Waverly
Income$80,284+97%
Home value$223,300+129%
Population10,561−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Cedar Falls
Income$76,987+89%
Home value$263,600+171%
Population41,240+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mason City, Iowa?

Mason City, Iowa has about 28,079 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Mason City, Iowa?

The typical household in Mason City, Iowa earns about $40,706 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mason City, Iowa expensive?

In Mason City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $97,300, and the typical rent is about $568 a month.

How educated are people in Mason City, Iowa?

About 20.4% of adults age 25 and over in Mason City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mason City, Iowa?

About 15.1% of people in Mason City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mason City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Mason City, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 961 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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