Mason County, Washington

Mason County
County
Mason County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°21′N123°11′W / 47.35°N 123.18°W / 47.35; -123.18
Country	United States
State	Washington
Founded	March 13, 1854
Named for	Charles H. Mason
Seat	Shelton
Largest city	Shelton
Area
• Total	1,051 sq mi (2,720 km2)
• Land	959 sq mi (2,480 km2)
• Water	92 sq mi (240 km2)  8.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	65,726
• Estimate  (2023)	68,389
• Density	63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	6th
Website	masoncountywa.gov

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. ^{[3] [4]}

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

Peak of Mount Ellinor in the Olympic Mountains of Mason County

Geography

Mount Rainier over the Totten Inlet. Mason County, Washington.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,051 square miles (2,720 km²), of which 959 square miles (2,480 km²) is land and 92 square miles (240 km²) (8.7%) is water. ^[5]

Geographic features

• Brown Cove
• Case Inlet
• Hammersley Inlet
• Harstine Island
• Hood Canal
• Lake Cushman
• Mason Lake
• Olympic Mountains
• Puget Sound
• Squaxin Island
• Totten Inlet

Oakland Bay

Major highways

• U.S. 101
• SR 3
• SR 108
• SR 106

Adjacent counties

• Jefferson County – northwest
• Kitsap County – northeast
• Pierce County – east/southeast
• Thurston County – southeast
• Grays Harbor County – southwest

National protected areas

• Olympic National Forest (part)
• Olympic National Park (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	162		—
1870	289		78.4%
1880	639		121.1%
1890	2,826		342.3%
1900	3,810		34.8%
1910	5,156		35.3%
1920	4,919		−4.6%
1930	10,060		104.5%
1940	11,603		15.3%
1950	15,022		29.5%
1960	16,251		8.2%
1970	20,918		28.7%
1980	31,184		49.1%
1990	38,341		23.0%
2000	49,405		28.9%
2010	60,699		22.9%
2020	65,726		8.3%
2023 (est.)	68,389	[6]	4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 60,699 people, 23,832 households, and 16,057 families living in the county. ^[11] The population density was 63.3 inhabitants per square mile (24.4/km²). There were 32,518 housing units at an average density of 33.9 units per square mile (13.1 units/km²). ^[12] 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. ^[11] 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. ^[13]

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. ^[11]

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. ^[14]

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 people per square mile (20 people/km²). There were 25,515 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10 units/km²). 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.

Communities

City

• Shelton (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Allyn-Grapeview
• Belfair
• Hoodsport
• Kamilche
• Skokomish
• Union

Unincorporated communities

• Eldon
• Harstine Island
• Lake Cushman
• Lilliwaup
• Matlock
• Potlatch
• Tahuya

Government

Board of county commissioners

• District 1 (North Mason) - Randy Neatherlin, elected 2013 ^[15]
• District 2 (West Mason) - Kevin Shutty, elected 2017 ^[16]
• District 3 (Central Mason) - Sharon Trask, elected 2019 ^[17]

State legislators

35th Legislative District

• Sen. Drew MacEwan (R)
• Rep. Dan Griffey (R)
• Rep. Travis Couture (R)

United States presidential election results for Mason County, Washington ^{[18] [19]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	17,922	49.35%	17,064	46.99%	1,330	3.66%
2020	18,710	50.16%	17,269	46.29%	1,324	3.55%
2016	13,677	47.16%	11,993	41.35%	3,333	11.49%
2012	12,761	44.79%	14,764	51.82%	964	3.38%
2008	12,600	44.19%	15,050	52.78%	863	3.03%
2004	11,987	47.20%	12,894	50.78%	513	2.02%
2000	10,257	45.63%	10,876	48.38%	1,347	5.99%
1996	7,149	34.45%	10,088	48.62%	3,513	16.93%
1992	5,776	29.43%	8,076	41.15%	5,774	29.42%
1988	7,426	47.77%	7,826	50.34%	293	1.88%
1984	8,410	53.74%	7,007	44.77%	233	1.49%
1980	6,745	49.10%	5,241	38.15%	1,751	12.75%
1976	4,758	42.14%	6,060	53.67%	473	4.19%
1972	4,873	53.10%	3,907	42.57%	397	4.33%
1968	3,397	39.55%	4,540	52.85%	653	7.60%
1964	2,549	31.58%	5,514	68.32%	8	0.10%
1960	3,703	46.86%	4,183	52.94%	16	0.20%
1956	4,026	51.05%	3,840	48.69%	20	0.25%
1952	3,827	49.70%	3,830	49.74%	43	0.56%
1948	2,524	38.82%	3,613	55.58%	364	5.60%
1944	1,976	36.61%	3,379	62.61%	42	0.78%
1940	1,775	33.20%	3,465	64.81%	106	1.98%
1936	1,015	23.08%	3,087	70.19%	296	6.73%
1932	995	25.50%	2,181	55.89%	726	18.61%
1928	1,745	62.95%	992	35.79%	35	1.26%
1924	902	49.02%	179	9.73%	759	41.25%
1920	997	56.04%	383	21.53%	399	22.43%
1916	764	44.32%	779	45.19%	181	10.50%
1912	439	24.42%	522	29.03%	837	46.55%
1908	553	56.60%	318	32.55%	106	10.85%
1904	661	63.50%	315	30.26%	65	6.24%
1900	514	51.40%	455	45.50%	31	3.10%
1896	397	36.86%	667	61.93%	13	1.21%
1892	352	42.00%	356	42.48%	130	15.51%

Healthcare

Mason County has one hospital, Mason General Hospital, in Shelton, operated by Washington Public Hospital District No. 1. ^{[20] [21] [22]}

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Washington

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Wilma, David (April 30, 2006). "Mason County — Thumbnail History". HistoryLink . Retrieved May 27, 2019.
4. Washington Agricultural Statistics Service, US Department of Agriculture, as archived at the Internet Archive
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
11. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
13. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
14. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
15. Shephard, Arla (January 11, 2011). "Randy Neatherlin sworn in as Mason County Commissioner". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
16. "Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty Not Seeking Reelection". Hood Canal Communications. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
17. "County Commissioner - District 3". Mason County. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
19. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 464 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 339 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 22 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 12 votes.
20. Arla Shephard Bull (November 16, 2017). "Mason General to build new medical office building".
21. 2018 Facility Fees, Washington State Department of Health, 2018, retrieved March 14, 2020
22. "Public Hospital District Directory". Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts. Retrieved March 14, 2020.

External links

• Official Tourism Web Site for Mason County
• County of Mason – official website
• Mason County profile by the Shelton-Mason County Journal
• Mason County Daily News

47°21′N123°11′W / 47.35°N 123.18°W / 47.35; -123.18