Mason County, Michigan Demographics 2026
Mason County, Michigan has a population of 29,207, the 49th most populous county in Michigan. The median household income is $64,748 and the median home value is $219,600. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Mason County Quick Facts
How Mason County 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 | 29,177 | 29,207 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $62,296 | $64,748 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $199,300 | $219,600 | +10.2% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Mason County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludington | 7,676 | $46,411 | 22.5% | $201,100 |
| Scottville | 1,474 | $51,953 | 27.5% | $134,300 |
| Custer | 275 | $63,125 | 13.1% | $131,300 |
| Fountain | 204 | $58,750 | 46.8% | $102,300 |
| Free Soil | 112 | $58,750 | 8.0% | $115,600 |
Explore Michigan Rankings
Population Overview
Mason County is located in Michigan with a total population of 29,207. It is the 49th most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mason County is 47.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mason County is $64,748. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $219,600. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mason County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Mason County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Michigan and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mason County, Michigan?
Mason County has a population of 29,207, making it the 49th most populous county in Michigan.
What is the median income in Mason County?
The median household income in Mason County is $64,748 with a poverty rate of 14.1%.
How many cities are in Mason County, Michigan?
Mason County contains 5 Census-designated places.