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Mason County, Washington facts for kids

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Mason County
Mason County Courthouse
Mason County Courthouse
Official seal of Mason County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Mason County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
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 
(2022)
68,166 Increase
 • Density 63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 6th

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,726. The county seat and only incorporated city is Shelton. The county was formed out of Thurston County on March 13, 1854. Originally named Sawamish County, it took its present name in 1864 in honor of Charles H. Mason, the first Secretary of Washington Territory.

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

Mount Ellinor, Mount Washington Panorama
Peak of Mount Ellinor in the Olympic Mountains of Mason County

Geography

Mount Rainier over Totten Inlet
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.

Geographic features

Oakland Bay

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
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%
2022 (est.) 68,166 12.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 60,699 people, 23,832 households, and 16,057 families living in the county. 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). 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. 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.

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.

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.

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Healthcare

Mason County has one hospital, Mason General Hospital, in Shelton, operated by Washington Public Hospital District No. 1.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Mason (Washington) para niños

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