Mason City, NE

Nebraska

Mason City is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 175. Residents earn $49,917 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
175 Population 372/sq mi density
$49,917 Median Income $44,765 per capita
$175,700 Home Value $185,880 Zillow
$778 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$49,917 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$175,700 home value, $778/mo rent
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,917
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $175,700
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.4%
32% higher than US avg
Median Rent $778
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.2%
79% higher than US avg

How Mason City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population175
Median Age27.8 yrs
Density372/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,917
Per Capita$44,765
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty22.2%
County GDP$882M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$175,700
Rent$778
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$185,880

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain26.3 in/yr
Elevation2,265 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.4%
High School+96.8%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 13%
Commute21 min
Broadband69.0%
Libraries7

Is Mason City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mason City receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Mason City stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mason City is $49,917, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 22.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mason City is $175,700, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $778 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Mason City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.3 inches, including 25.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Mason City has a population of 175 with a density of 372 people per square mile. The median age is 27.8 years, 29% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.7%).

Population

175
Total Population
372
People / sq mi
27.8yrs
Median Age
29% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.1%
Female 42.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Mason City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mason City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mason City is $49,917, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Mason City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,917
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,765
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$58,725

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.2%
79% above US avg
Establishments (County)488
County GDP$882M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare34
Retail70
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,290
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.6 min
Work from Home1.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Mason City is $175,700, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $778 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $185,880.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$175,700
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$185,880

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$778
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,290
6% below US avg
Effective Rate1.87%
In Mason City, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.0% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mason City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma9.3%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression18.0%
Mental Distress15.0%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.8%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death8,243/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities34

Crime Rates: Mason City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Mason City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.3 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall25.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,265 ft (690 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density372/sq mi
Coordinates41.2222°N, 99.2988°W
County FIPS31041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 44.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.3-point margin. 69.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 85.7%
D 13.4%

Winner: Republican by 72.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.4%
32% above US avg
High School+96.8%
School Test Score5.81
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density372/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access69.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants32
Retail Stores70

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.6 min
Work from Home1.3%

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