Mason County, Washington Explained

County:Mason County
State:Washington
Seal:Masonlogo.png
Founded Year:1854
Founded Date:March 13
Seat Wl:Shelton
Largest City Wl:Shelton
Area Total Sq Mi:1051
Area Land Sq Mi:959
Area Water Sq Mi:92
Area Percentage:8.7
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:65726
Pop Est As Of:2022
Population Est:68166
Density Sq Mi:63
Time Zone:Pacific
Web:www.masoncountywa.gov
Named For:Charles H. Mason
Ex Image:Mason County Courthouse - Shelton Washington.jpg
Ex Image Cap:Mason County Courthouse
District:6th

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,726.[1] The county seat and only incorporated city is Shelton.[2] The county was formed out of Thurston County on March 13, 1854.[3] Originally named Sawamish County, it took its present name in 1864 in honor of Charles H. Mason, the first Secretary of Washington Territory.[4]

Mason County comprises the Shelton micropolitan statistical area and is included in the Seattle-Tacoma combined statistical area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (8.7%) is water.[5]

Geographic features

Oakland Bay

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 49,405 people, 18,912 households, and 13,389 families living in the county. The population density was 51/mi2. There were 25,515 housing units at an average density of 26/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 3.72% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. 4.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% were of German, 9.9% Irish, 9.8% English, 8.6% United States or American and 6.8% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 18,912 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 107.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,586, and the median income for a family was $44,246. Males had a median income of $37,007 versus $25,817 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,056. About 8.80% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 60,699 people, 23,832 households, and 16,057 families living in the county.[6] The population density was . There were 32,518 housing units at an average density of 33.9/mi2.[7] The racial makeup of the county was 86.1% white, 3.7% American Indian, 1.2% Asian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.4% Pacific islander, 3.4% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.7% were German, 13.8% were English, 13.5% were Irish, 6.7% were Norwegian, and 4.9% were American.[8]

Of the 23,832 households, 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 44.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,104 and the median income for a family was $56,809. Males had a median income of $44,992 versus $33,982 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,530. About 11.1% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[9]

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Government

Board of county commissioners

State legislators

35th Legislative District

Healthcare

Mason County has one hospital, Mason General Hospital, in Shelton, operated by Washington Public Hospital District No. 1.[13] [14]

See also

External links

47.35°N -123.18°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State & County QuickFacts . August 19, 2023 . United States Census Bureau.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties.
  3. News: Wilma . David . April 30, 2006 . Mason County — Thumbnail History . May 27, 2019 . HistoryLink.
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20060505075926/http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa/counties/cnty045.htm Washington Agricultural Statistics Service
  5. Web site: August 22, 2012 . 2010 Census Gazetteer Files . July 7, 2015 . United States Census Bureau.
  6. Web site: DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data . dead . https://archive.today/20200213034455/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53045 . February 13, 2020 . March 13, 2016 . United States Census Bureau.
  7. Web site: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County . dead . https://archive.today/20200213190650/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53045 . February 13, 2020 . March 13, 2016 . United States Census Bureau.
  8. Web site: DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . dead . https://archive.today/20200213022235/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53045 . February 13, 2020 . March 13, 2016 . United States Census Bureau.
  9. Web site: DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . dead . https://archive.today/20200213011119/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53045 . February 13, 2020 . March 13, 2016 . United States Census Bureau.
  10. News: Shephard . Arla . January 11, 2011 . Randy Neatherlin sworn in as Mason County Commissioner . 2024-05-24 . Kitsap Sun.
  11. Web site: Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty Not Seeking Reelection . May 10, 2024 . Hood Canal Communications.
  12. Web site: County Commissioner - District 3 . May 10, 2024 . Mason County.
  13. News: Arla Shephard Bull . November 16, 2017 . Mason General to build new medical office building .
  14. News: Public Hospital District Directory . March 14, 2020 . Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts.