countyscore
40
County Score
Income & Jobs 84.9Weather & Climate 65.5Water Quality 62.2

County Report Card

About Mason County, Washington

Modest Ranking on National Scale

Mason County scores 40.1, trailing the national median of 50.0. While it performs well in income generation, other livability factors keep it in the lower half of national rankings.

Behind the State Average Curve

With a 40.1 composite score, Mason County sits below the 44.1 Washington state average. It struggles to provide the same level of school and safety infrastructure found in higher-scoring counties.

High Income Potential and Pure Water

Mason County stands out with an income score of 82.0 and a solid water quality score of 62.2. A median household income of $78,359 provides a strong base for local residents.

Housing Costs and Hazard Risks

The county faces a low cost score of 14.2 and a risk score of 14.7. These figures indicate that housing is relatively expensive compared to the local infrastructure's resilience.

Best for Middle-Income Earners

Mason County is a good fit for workers who can tap into the strong regional income stream while enjoying reliable water quality. It suits those who are comfortable with a rural-fringe lifestyle and can navigate a tighter housing market.

2040608010057.213.422.156.648.284.914.762.265.5Tax57.2Cost13.4Safety22.1Health56.6Schools48.2Income84.9Risk14.7Water62.2Weather65.540/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Mason County DNA

Foverall

How Mason County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mason County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (84.9/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (13.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
57.2
Cost
13.4-34.6
Safety
22.1-32.9
Health
56.6
Schools
48.2
Income
84.9+33.900000000000006
Risk
14.7-32.3
Water
62.2
Weather
65.5+9.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$411,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,285/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$411,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$51,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $83,270/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Brooks County
Georgia
Median income: $46,807
40
Tift County
Georgia
Median income: $53,255
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Twin Falls County
Idaho
Median income: $67,409
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Delaware County
Indiana
Median income: $58,127
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Harvey County
Kansas
Median income: $74,368
40
Lyon County
Kansas
Median income: $59,912
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Flathead County
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Median income: $73,925
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New Hanover County
North Carolina
Median income: $75,166
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Nearby counties

Thurston County
Washington
37.6
Kitsap County
Washington
40.1
Jefferson County
Washington
47.9
Grays Harbor County
Washington
36.7
Pierce County
Washington
33.8
Island County
Washington
50.9
Lewis County
Washington
37.9
King County
Washington
39.1

Deep Dives

Mason County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mason County

via TaxByCounty

Mason County taxes above national median

Mason County's effective tax rate of 0.751% surpasses the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,833 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting slightly elevated rates on moderately valued rural property.

Above-average taxes in Washington

Mason County ranks 9th among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.751%, sitting just below the statewide average of 0.761%. The county imposes higher tax pressure than most rural peers.

Higher rates than most Southwest neighbors

Mason County's 0.751% rate exceeds Klickitat (0.618%), Lewis (0.712%), and Kittitas (0.708%), though it trails Kitsap County (0.797%). Regional position reflects above-average public service demands.

Median annual tax reaches $2,833

With a median home value of $377,400, Mason County homeowners typically pay $2,833 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged and mortgage-free properties average nearly identical amounts at $2,834 and $2,830.

Challenge overvalued assessments promptly

Mason County homeowners should monitor their assessed values against recent comparable sales, as overassessment in above-average-tax counties compounds quickly. Filing an appeal costs nothing and directly reduces your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mason County

via IncomeByCounty

Mason County Exceeds National Benchmark

Mason County's median household income of $78,359 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 4.8%, reflecting its position as a suburban economic outpost. Timber, manufacturing, and port-related employment anchor the local economy.

Mid-Tier Income for Washington State

Mason County ranks in Washington's middle tier at $78,359 median income, about 2.6% above the state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $38,685 slightly trails the state per capita of $40,628, suggesting moderate wealth concentration.

Strong Regional Position

Mason's $78,359 income stands well above rural neighbors Kittitas ($69,928), Klickitat ($70,400), and Lewis ($69,690) by $8,000–$9,000, but trails Kitsap County ($98,546) by about $20,000. The county bridges Washington's rural-suburban economic divide.

Reasonable Housing Affordability

Mason residents spend 18.4% of median income on rent—below the affordability threshold—with median home values of $377,400. Income and housing costs align reasonably, supporting family financial stability.

Invest Mason's Strong Position

With median household income at $78,359 and favorable housing costs, Mason County residents have solid capacity to invest and save. Establish consistent contributions to retirement plans and diversified investments to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mason County

via CrimeByCounty

Mason County Outperforms National Safety Scores

Mason County has a total crime rate of 1999.9 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It earns a high safety score of 96.8. Data is reported by two agencies within the county.

Safer Than the Washington State Average

Mason's safety score of 96.8 is slightly higher than the Washington state average of 96.2. Its total crime rate of 1999.9 is also notably lower than the state's average of 2377.2. This indicates a safer environment than many neighboring counties.

Fewer Crimes Than Urban Neighbors

Mason County is significantly safer than Kitsap County, which has a rate of 3106.2. It also sees far fewer incidents than the high-density King County. This makes Mason a quieter alternative in the western Washington region.

Violent and Property Crime Below Average

The violent crime rate of 234.7 is much lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1765.2 per 100K, which is also well below national levels. These figures point to a relatively low-risk environment for most residents.

Protecting Your Home in Mason County

Maintaining basic security like deadbolts and exterior lighting is effective for Mason's lower crime environment. Property crime remains the most likely issue, so securing tools and equipment is recommended. Regular communication with neighbors can further boost safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mason County

via WeatherByCounty

A Very Wet Marine Climate

Mason County's 51.3°F average temperature is typical for the region, but its precipitation is extreme by national standards. The county is defined by its high moisture and moderate temperatures.

Double the State Average Rainfall

The county receives a staggering 83.3 inches of precipitation annually, more than double the state average of 38.5 inches. Its 51.3°F temperature is slightly warmer than the state mean.

The Rain Capital of the Region

Mason's 83.3 inches of rain dwarfs King County's 64.2 inches and Kitsap's 56.9 inches. However, it stays very similar in temperature to its Puget Sound neighbors.

Rainy Winters and Mild Summers

Snow is rare here, with only 3.2 inches falling annually. Summers are very comfortable with a July average of 64.7°F and only 6 days of extreme heat per year.

Invest in Quality Rain Gear

With 83.3 inches of rain, residents should prioritize roof maintenance and high-end waterproof clothing. Air conditioning is rarely a necessity given the consistent marine cooling.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mason County

via SoilByCounty

Characterizing the canal soils

Taxonomic orders and average pH values are not currently documented for Mason County. Most soils in this part of Washington trend toward the acidic state average of 6.20.

The texture of the timberland

Specific sand, silt, and clay ratios are not yet available for this region. These components dictate whether your ground feels gritty or smooth and how much air it can hold for plant roots.

Nurturing the forest floor

Data for organic matter and available water capacity is missing from current records. Achieving the state average soil score of 58.1 requires careful attention to nutrient management in this rainy environment.

Managing the maritime runoff

Drainage and hydrologic group classifications are not formally listed for Mason County. Local builders must often perform custom site assessments to account for the region's high seasonal rainfall and varied slopes.

Vibrant growth in Zone 8b

The 8b Hardiness Zone provides a long, mild growing season perfect for berries and cool-season greens. Embrace the maritime influence and start your garden in this lush, productive corner of the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mason County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the Rain in Mason County

Mason County scores a 40.9 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly more manageable than the state average of 36.9. Located in Hardiness Zone 8b, the county enjoys very mild winters, though it is far from the national median of 50.0. The primary challenge here is not the cold, but the sheer volume of water.

Washington's Rain Capital for Turf

At 83.3 inches of annual precipitation, Mason County is one of the wettest environments in the state. This is nearly double the ideal 50-inch maximum for lawns, leading to saturated soils and high moss risk. With only 6 heat days and 1,836 growing degree days, grass stays cool and damp most of the year.

Dealing with Saturated Ground

Specific soil metrics like pH and clay content are not available for Mason County. In an 83-inch rainfall environment, soil drainage is the most critical factor for lawn health. Homeowners should prioritize professional aeration and potentially install French drains to prevent turf from drowning in standing water.

Brief Summer Breaks from Rain

Despite the massive annual rainfall, 36.8% of the county is currently abnormally dry. The region saw 27 weeks of drought last year, which can be a shock to lawns accustomed to constant moisture. During these rare dry spells, light irrigation may be needed to maintain color and health.

Lush Greenery in Zone 8b

Bentgrass and fine fescues are well-suited for the high-moisture, low-heat climate of Mason County. Plan your planting after the final spring frost on April 23rd for the best results. The long growing season extends until the first frost on October 20th, providing plenty of time for establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mason County's county score?
Mason County, Washington has a composite county score of 40 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Mason County rank among counties in Washington?
Mason County ranks #23 among all counties in Washington on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Mason County, Washington?
The median annual property tax in Mason County is $3,006, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Mason County a tax score of 57.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mason County?
The median household income in Mason County, Washington is $83,270 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mason County earns an income score of 84.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mason County, Washington a good place to live?
Mason County scores 40/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in Washington. The best way to evaluate Mason County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Mason County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.