Mason City, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mason City, Nebraska had a total population of 189, the 362nd largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $64,375, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 35.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
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 | 175 | 189 | +8.0% |
| Median household income | $49,917 | $64,375 | +29.0% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mason City Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Bow | 3,502 | $60,129 | 8.8% | $133,200 |
| Arnold | 945 | $64,688 | 8.0% | $146,700 |
| Ansley | 563 | $64,688 | 5.9% | $89,800 |
| Callaway | 562 | $51,146 | 8.7% | $149,100 |
| Sargent | 534 | $54,423 | 10.7% | $57,900 |
| Merna | 383 | $61,875 | 19.7% | $100,000 |
| Oconto | 167 | $55,625 | 6.0% | $60,000 |
| Anselmo | 93 | $60,673 | 10.8% | $72,500 |
| Comstock | 80 | $47,500 | 3.8% | $80,800 |
| Berwyn | 51 | $46,250 | 9.8% | $75,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avoca | 190 | $66,563 | $137,500 | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| Howard City (Boelus) | 186 | $68,750 | $80,000 | 20.9% | 9.7% |
| Ithaca | 183 | $62,083 | $158,500 | 20.1% | 4.9% |
| Hubbard | 190 | $58,750 | $185,700 | 29.4% | 7.4% |
| Center | 191 | $70,000 | N/A | 6.1% | 37.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 189, Mason City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Mason City is a small community located in Nebraska, within Custer County. The total population is 189. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mason City is 27.9 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mason City is $64,375. This is 16% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Mason City, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mason City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.5%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
35.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Mason City in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mason City, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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, Nebraska?
Mason City, Nebraska has a population of 189 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mason City, NE?
The median household income in Mason City is $64,375, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mason City, NE?
The poverty rate in Mason City is 11.1%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mason City, Nebraska?
Mason City's population is 97.4% White, 0.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mason City, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Mason City — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Mason City, Nebraska?
35.9% of adults (25+) in Mason City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.