Mason City

Mason City, Iowa Overview

Mason City scores 52.8/100 overall (C+), ranking #12 of 20 cities in Iowa — below the state composite of 69.5. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 75/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 22/100.

Income & Employment in Mason City

The median household income in Mason City is $62,369, 14% below the statewide median of $72,429. The local unemployment rate of 2.9% is lower than the state’s 3%.

Safety in Mason City

At 201.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Mason City sits meaningfully below the Iowa average of 295 — a 46% lower gap. The property crime rate is 3016.4 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Mason City

The median home value is $130,000. Median monthly rent is $874. Renters spend 16.8% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Mason City

The adult obesity rate in Mason City is 40.5%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.4%. Residents report an average of 16.7 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Iowa ranks #22 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Mason City

Mason City has a high school graduation rate of 83%. The student-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. Per-pupil spending is $14,852. The city has 8 public schools serving 3,375 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Mason City

The annual average temperature in Mason City is 50.1°F. Summers average 72.6°F. Winters average 26.4°F. Annual precipitation is 26.6 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions