Mason City city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Mason City city, Iowa has a total population of 27,135, the 17th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $62,369, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Mason City city Quick Facts
How Mason City city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mason City city Rankings in Iowa
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Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake city | 7,603 | $70,278 | 7.3% | $235,100 |
Cities Similar to Mason City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshalltown city | 27,491 | $68,854 | $117,100 | 19.7% | 14.0% |
| Fort Dodge city | 24,788 | $61,769 | $128,900 | 20.1% | 14.4% |
| Ottumwa city | 25,352 | $56,994 | $92,400 | 20.1% | 18.9% |
| Clinton city | 24,425 | $57,493 | $115,400 | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Muscatine city | 23,567 | $59,332 | $146,900 | 21.2% | 16.5% |
Population Overview
Mason City city is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 27,135. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mason City city is 43.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mason City city is $62,369. This is 15% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Mason City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mason City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mason City city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mason City city, Iowa?
Mason City city, Iowa has a population of 27,135 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mason City city, IA?
The median household income in Mason City city is $62,369, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Mason City city, IA?
The poverty rate in Mason City city is 10.6%. This means approximately 2,784 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mason City city, Iowa?
Mason City city's population is 86.2% White, 2.9% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mason City city, IA?
The median home value in Mason City city is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Mason City city, Iowa?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Mason City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.