CensusEasy
MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2000 CENSUS

Mason City Micro

Mason City, IA · 2 counties · 54,356 residents · 968.423 sq mi
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The short version

Mason City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,951. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $73,801.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.5
US median: 35.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,356
−1%since 1990
from 54,724 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
56 / sq mi
−1%since 1990
from 57 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
39.5
+11%since 1990
from 35.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
50K51K52K54K55K1990201020202024Mason City
202450K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,951
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $24,793 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,859
+55%since 1990
from $12,178 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
8.5%
−0.6 ptssince 1990
from 9.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$73,801
+29%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $43,562 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$397
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $311 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
72.6%
+2.7 ptssince 1990
from 69.9% in 1990
27.4% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+17%since 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mason City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(53,783)
Black0.7%(363)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(855)
Asian0.5%(279)
Diversity Score7.9%(4,327)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(51,670)
Black0.7%(379)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(1,415)
Asian0.6%(328)
Diversity Score9.6%(5,202)
Diversity Score
10
+21%since 1990
from 8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+4.3 ptssince 1990
from 14.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
87.1%
+6.3 ptssince 1990
from 80.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 4.3% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.9 min
−35%since 1990
from 16.9 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

Mason CityCENTRAL26,853
What's inside

2 component counties

Cerro Gordo CountyCENTRAL42,372Worth County7,338
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Mason City

Burley
Pop 49,308
Ashland
Pop 52,523
Bemidji
Pop 47,055
Cornelia
Pop 50,416
Places similar to Mason City
Head to head

Compare Mason City side by side

MASON CITY VS
Burley
Income$70,619+96%
Home value$274,355+272%
Population49,308−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Ashland
Income$69,860+94%
Home value$186,800+153%
Population52,523+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Bemidji
Income$68,975+92%
Home value$237,500+222%
Population47,055−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MASON CITY VS
Cornelia
Income$67,309+87%
Home value$238,300+223%
Population50,416+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mason City, IA?

Mason City, IA has about 54,356 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Mason City, IA earns about $35,951 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mason City, IA expensive?

In Mason City, IA, the median home is worth about $73,801, and the typical rent is about $397 a month.

How educated are people in Mason City, IA?

About 19.2% of adults age 25 and over in Mason City, IA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mason City, IA?

About 8.5% of people in Mason City, IA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mason City, IA grown since 1990?

Yes, Mason City, IA has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 368 residents, a change of about -1 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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