1st Advantage MortgageAbout 82% of Mason County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $83,270. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Mason County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Mason County
- What it costs to live in Mason County
- The Mason County job picture
- Counties near Mason County
- Mason County towns compared
- People and households in Mason County
- Before borrowing in Mason County
- Room for a loan payment in Mason County
- A Mason County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Washington
- More guides for Mason County
- Frequently asked questions
Mason County by the numbers
Mason County is home to about 67,982 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 20th most populous of 39 county-level areas in Washington. Packed into 960 square miles, that is close to 71 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Mason County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Mason County, Shelton leads by population with about 10,612; 1 of the 7 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Mason County
Mason County households have a median income of $83,270 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 13th of 39 in Washington.
| Income band | Share in Mason County | Difference from Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.6% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.0% | -8.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of Mason County households make $100,000 or more, and 19% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.3%, 2 points higher than the state's 9.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.409 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Mason County median.
What it costs to live in Mason County
Renters in Mason County pay a median of $1,285 a month, 27% below the Washington figure of $1,760. By the Census definition, 47% of Mason County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $411,800, about 4.9 times the median household income. 82% of Mason County households own their home and 18% rent.
| Housing | Mason County | Washington statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,285/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $411,800 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.4% | 5.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 7% | n/a |
Because most Mason County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Mason County job picture
The biggest employer of Mason County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by public administration (12%). Compared with Washington, the county leans toward public administration (12% against 5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Mason County averages 6.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 33% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 14% work from home. 3.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Mason County | Compared with Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.9% | -1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 11.7% | +6.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.3% | -4.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% | +0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.1% | -3.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Mason County
Distances run center to center, from Kitsap County at 32 miles out to Island County at 60. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Mason County; Kitsap County is highest at $104,158 and Grays Harbor County lowest at $64,414.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | - | $83,270 | $1,285/mo | 82% |
| Kitsap County, WA | 32 mi | $104,158 | $1,822/mo | 70% |
| Thurston County, WA | 33 mi | $96,563 | $1,736/mo | 68% |
| Grays Harbor County, WA | 35 mi | $64,414 | $1,062/mo | 73% |
| Jefferson County, WA | 35 mi | $74,048 | $1,522/mo | 79% |
| Pierce County, WA | 52 mi | $99,564 | $1,806/mo | 65% |
| Island County, WA | 60 mi | $90,551 | $1,662/mo | 75% |
Mason County towns compared
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 29% of Mason County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $97,716 at the median in Allyn, $58,958 in Skokomish. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelton | city | 10,612 | $69,598 | $1,365 | 9 mi |
| Belfair | CDP | 4,557 | $88,150 | $1,195 | 16 mi |
| Allyn | CDP | 2,404 | $97,716 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Grapeview | CDP | 1,088 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Skokomish | CDP | 560 | $58,958 | $1,000 | 2 mi |
| Union | CDP | 457 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
| Hoodsport | CDP | 216 | $121,250 | n/a | 4 mi |
People and households in Mason County
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.7%, against 6.3% for Washington.
| Residents | Mason County | Washington | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.9% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.5% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.6% |
| 60+ min | 17.6% |
Before borrowing in Mason County
Where the Mason County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 33% of Mason County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Mason County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Room for a loan payment in Mason County
How much room does a median Mason County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $6,939 gross per month ($83,270 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,285, takes 19% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,491 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Mason County's.
A Mason County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Mason County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Washington.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Washington
Before sharing details with a lender, a Mason County resident can confirm its license with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Washington: Washington personal loans.
More guides for Mason County
The Washington guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Mason County earn?
The median is $83,270; 41% earn $100,000 or more and 19% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Mason County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,285 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Mason County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 82% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Mason County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Shelton, Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview, Skokomish and 2 more.
Are Mason County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.