Mason City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mason City, Iowa had a total population of 27,050, the 18th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,804, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Mason City Quick Facts
How Mason City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,135 | 27,050 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $62,369 | $64,804 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $130,000 | $142,000 | +9.2% |
How Mason City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mason City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | 8.3% | $259,500 |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | 5.3% | $134,500 |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | 14.8% | $163,300 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | 5.7% | $389,500 |
| Thornton | 514 | $67,031 | 9.3% | $115,500 |
| Plymouth | 407 | $80,000 | 13.0% | $125,700 |
| Meservey | 262 | $46,750 | 31.7% | $50,800 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | 4.7% | $62,900 |
| Rock Falls | 119 | $71,042 | 5.9% | $156,300 |
| Dougherty | 88 | $45,500 | 8.0% | $50,000 |
Cities Similar to Mason City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshalltown | 27,626 | $69,068 | $127,700 | 20.9% | 14.3% |
| Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | $106,300 | 20.8% | 17.2% |
| Fort Dodge | 24,827 | $60,649 | $144,100 | 21.7% | 15.9% |
| Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $118,200 | 20.8% | 18.5% |
| Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $114,300 | 22.5% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Mason City is a mid-sized community located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 27,050. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mason City is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mason City is $64,804. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $142,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Mason City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mason City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mason City, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mason City, Iowa?
Mason City, Iowa has a population of 27,050 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mason City, IA?
The median household income in Mason City is $64,804, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mason City, IA?
The poverty rate in Mason City is 12.0%. This means approximately 3,155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mason City, Iowa?
Mason City's population is 84.9% White, 2.9% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mason City, IA?
The median home value in Mason City is $142,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Mason City, Iowa?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Mason City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.