Mason City, Iowa Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Mason City, Iowa is 27,135 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 17th-largest city in Iowa. The median household income is $62,369, the median home value is $130,000, and the median age is 43.0.
The population has declined 3.9% since 2010 (28,041 → 26,948).
27,135
Population
962
People / sq mi
$62,369
Median Income
$130,000
Median Home Value
Mason City covers 28.2 sq mi of land at 962 people per square mile.
About Mason City, IA
Mason City is a city in Iowa with a population of 27,135. It ranks #17 among cities in Iowa by population. The median age is 43.0, older than the national median. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The median household income in Mason City is $62,369, below the US median of $74,580. 7.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $130,000, with monthly rent averaging $874. The homeownership rate of 67.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Mason City reflects 21.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 13.8 minutes each way.
Mason City city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Mason City city had a population of 28,041 in 2010 and 26,948 in 2024, a -3.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 28,041 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.28%.
26,948
Population (2024)
28,041
Population (2010)
28,041
Peak (2010)
-0.28%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 28,041 |
| 2011 | 27,947 |
| 2012 | 27,750 |
| 2013 | 27,664 |
| 2014 | 27,416 |
| 2015 | 27,311 |
| 2016 | 27,401 |
| 2017 | 27,339 |
| 2018 | 27,067 |
| 2019 | 26,931 |
| 2020 | 27,280 |
| 2021 | 27,180 |
| 2022 | 26,909 |
| 2023 | 26,954 |
| 2024 | 26,948 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 88.4% |
| Black or African American | 3.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$62,369
Median Household Income
$36,527
Per Capita Income
7.3%
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$130,000
Median Home Value
$874
Median Rent
67.6%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.3%
High School+
21.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
79.1%
Public Transit
5.4%
Work From Home
13.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
21.4%
Foreign Born
95.6%
Non-English at Home
7.5%
Veterans
14.3%
With Disability
95.6%
Health Insurance
92.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 23.4% |
| Manufacturing | 16.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.5% |
| Construction | 4.8% |
| Information | 4.2% |
| Retail Trade | 4.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.1% |
| Public Administration | 2.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.1% |
Largest cities in Iowa
Largest counties in Iowa
Part of Iowa
Metro areas in Iowa
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Mason City, Iowa has a population of 27,135 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 17th-largest city in Iowa.
The median household income in Mason City, Iowa is $62,369, with 7.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Mason City, Iowa is $130,000, with median monthly rent at $874 and a homeownership rate of 67.6%.
The median age in Mason City, Iowa is 43.0 years. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The population has declined 3.9% since 2010 (28,041 → 26,948).
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Statewide data for Iowa
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Iowa
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.