1st Advantage MortgageMason County households have a median income of $64,748 and median rent of $896 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Mason County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Population and place: Mason County
- Mason County housing compared with Michigan
- The $64,748 median and what sits around it
- Where Mason County works
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Mason County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What the numbers mean for Mason County borrowers
- What a median Mason County budget can carry
- People and households in Mason County
- Who licenses lenders for Mason County residents
- Steps before you apply in Mason County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Mason County
With an estimated 29,207 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Mason County ranks 49th of 83 in Michigan for population. Packed into 495 square miles, that is close to 59 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Mason County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Ludington is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 7,676 people (26% of the county total).
Mason County housing compared with Michigan
$896 a month is the median gross rent in Mason County, 21% below the state. By the Census definition, 48% of Mason County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $219,600, or 3.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Housing | Mason County | Michigan statewide | Mason County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $896/mo | $1,129/mo | 21% lower |
| Median home value | $219,600 | $231,600 | 5% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 73% | +5.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 50% | -1.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | -0.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% | 5.0% | +5.3 pts |
| Vacant units | 27% | 12% | +15.4 pts |
With 78% of Mason County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
The $64,748 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Mason County: $64,748 (11% below Michigan, $72,875). That places it 38th among Michigan's 83 county-level areas.
| Household income | Mason County | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +1.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.5% | +4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.5% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -3.2 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.1%, 1 point higher than the state's 13.2%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.444 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Where Mason County works
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Mason County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. Mason County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 3% versus 1% in Michigan. 4.5% of Mason County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 8%; under 15 minutes: 45%. 830 Mason County households, 6.5%, have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Mason County workers | vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.7% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | +1.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Mason County
9,741 of Mason County's 29,207 residents live in its 5 Census places (33%); the 5 largest are listed. No Mason County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludington | city | 7,676 | $46,411 | $902 | 0 mi |
| Scottville | city | 1,474 | $51,953 | $769 | 8 mi |
| Custer | village | 275 | $63,125 | $769 | 11 mi |
| Fountain | village | 204 | $58,750 | $1,042 | 14 mi |
| Free Soil | village | 112 | $58,750 | $917 | 15 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Manistee County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Benzie County, is 48 miles off. Richest neighbor: Benzie County, $74,834. Poorest: Lake County, $50,805. Mason County: $64,748.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | - | $64,748 | $896/mo | 78% |
| Manistee County, MI | 21 mi | $63,516 | $842/mo | 86% |
| Oceana County, MI | 24 mi | $62,417 | $759/mo | 84% |
| Lake County, MI | 32 mi | $50,805 | $875/mo | 82% |
| Muskegon County, MI | 37 mi | $65,024 | $1,028/mo | 78% |
| Newaygo County, MI | 42 mi | $63,304 | $904/mo | 87% |
| Benzie County, MI | 48 mi | $74,834 | $1,026/mo | 88% |
What the numbers mean for Mason County borrowers
What the Mason County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Mason County rent burden. 48% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
What a median Mason County budget can carry
DTI math using Mason County medians ($64,748 income, $896 rent):
- $64,748 a year is $5,396 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $896, takes 17% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,942 total minus rent leaves $1,046
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,424 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Mason County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
People and households in Mason County
27% of Mason County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Mason County | vs Michigan | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.3 | +7.1 yrs | +5.8 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.6% | -5.8 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Work from home | 11.0% | -2.5 pts | +2.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | -2.1 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | -1.2 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | +0.9 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | -0.5 pts | +1.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | +0.3 pts | -2.6 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Who licenses lenders for Mason County residents
Consumer lenders serving Mason County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB.
Steps before you apply in Mason County
A short checklist for Mason County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Mason County-area credit union.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Michigan guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Mason County earn?
The median is $64,748; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Mason County, MI?
$896 a month, utilities included, or $10,752 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Mason County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 78% of Mason County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Mason County?
By population: Ludington, Scottville, Custer, Fountain, Free Soil. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does living in Mason County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Mason County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.