County population in 2023: 17,053 (45% urban, 55% rural); it was 16,800 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,927 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,828 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 4,616 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,276 (it was 2,231 in 2000)
% of renters here:
33%
State:
31%
Land area: 241 sq. mi.
Water area: 5.5 sq. mi.
Population density: 71 people per square mile (average).
March 2022 cost of living index in Mason County: 82.6 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (25.3%), Manufacturing (16.9%), Retail trade (15.0%).
Estimated median household income in 2023: $50,401 ($30,195 in 1999)
This county:
$50,401
Kentucky:
$61,118
Median contract rent in 2023 for apartments: $522 (lower quartile is $364, upper quartile is $726)
This county:
$522
State:
$745
Estimated median house or condo value in 2023: $173,471 (it was $71,200 in 2000)
Mason:
$173,471
Kentucky:
$211,800
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $88,696 - $277,362
Mean price in 2023:
Detached houses: $253,301
Here:
$253,301
State:
$274,467
Townhouses or other attached units: $163,053
Here:
$163,053
State:
$256,845
In 2-unit structures: $146,802
Here:
$146,802
State:
$265,656
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $258,075
Here:
$258,075
State:
$197,455
Mobile homes: $105,483
Here:
$105,483
State:
$88,004
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,259 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $408
Institutionalized population: 290
Crime in 2022 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 2
Rapes: 4
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 9
Burglaries: 16
Thefts: 42
Auto thefts: 10
Crime in 2021 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 1
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 4
Burglaries: 18
Thefts: 40
Auto thefts: 15
Single-family new house construction building permits:
2022: 17 buildings, average cost: $252,100
2021: 29 buildings, average cost: $199,800
2020: 32 buildings, average cost: $211,800
2019: 12 buildings, average cost: $244,800
2018: 18 buildings, average cost: $149,300
2017: 19 buildings, average cost: $215,300
2016: 26 buildings, average cost: $158,400
2015: 20 buildings, average cost: $196,400
2014: 19 buildings, average cost: $161,100
2013: 15 buildings, average cost: $158,500
2012: 14 buildings, average cost: $126,900
2011: 12 buildings, average cost: $162,100
2010: 23 buildings, average cost: $150,300
2009: 22 buildings, average cost: $127,500
2008: 10 buildings, average cost: $102,500
2007: 64 buildings, average cost: $142,000
2006: 51 buildings, average cost: $150,400
2005: 0 buildings
2004: 45 buildings, average cost: $104,700
2003: 35 buildings, average cost: $127,000
2002: 26 buildings, average cost: $114,000
2001: 18 buildings, average cost: $122,400
2000: 17 buildings, average cost: $135,600
1999: 25 buildings, average cost: $94,600
1998: 34 buildings, average cost: $87,700
1997: 33 buildings, average cost: $91,800
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2023: $1,283 (0.7%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2023: $811 (0.5%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2023: 18.6%
Mason County:
18.6%
Kentucky:
16.4%
(16.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 19.6% for Black residents, 53.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 94.5% for American Indian residents, 25.8% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2023: 42.4 years old
(Males: 40.2 years old, Females: 44.2 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 43.1 years old, Black residents: 43.9 years old, American Indian residents: 52.9 years old, Asian residents: 5.8 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 41.5 years old, Other race residents: 20.0 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mason County is $370 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $447 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $652 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Mason County: Happy Hills Christian Service Camp (A), Eagle Station (B), National Guard Armory (C), Kentucky Utilities Power Plant (D), Ghent Fire Department Station 2 (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Mason County include: Hopewell Church (A), Whites Run Church (B), Mount Herman Church (C), Saint Peters Church (D), Cove Hill Church (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Lower Whites Run Baptist Church Cemetery (1), Worthville Masonic Cemetery (2), Whitehead Cemetery (3), General Butler Cemetery (4), Blanton Cemetery (5), Stafford Cemetery (6). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Dripping Springs Branch (A), Black Rock Creek (B), Briar Fork (C), DeWeese Creek (D), Kentucky River (E), Tanbark Branch (F), Carlisle Branch (G), Stony Creek (H), Buffalo Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 598 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 85.2% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.1%
Number of foreign born residents: 300 (46.7% naturalized citizens)
Mason County:
1.8%
Whole state:
4.5%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1252010 or later
02000 to 2009
581990 to 1999
281980 to 1989
71970 to 1979
24Before 1970
Mean travel time to work (commute): minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 86.3%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 5,689
One, attached: 234
Two: 439
3 or 4: 226
5 to 9: 394
10 to 19: 313
20 to 49: 177
50 or more: 61
Mobile homes: 736
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 16
Housing units in Mason County with a mortgage: 2,404 (205 second mortgage, 32 home equity loan, 116 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 57
Here:
3.4% with mortgage
State:
96.8% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Mason County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
4,790
30
Mainline Protestant
3,822
24
Catholic
1,200
3
Other
426
2
Black Protestant
185
1
None
7,067
-
Mason County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 4
Mason County:
2.32 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.19 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.58 / 10,000 pop.
Kentucky:
0.25 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14
Mason County:
8.13 / 10,000 pop.
Kentucky:
4.36 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 14
This county:
8.13 / 10,000 pop.
State:
5.74 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mason County:
11.9%
Kentucky:
11.0%
Adult obesity rate:
Mason County:
29.9%
State:
30.0%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
16.0%
State:
15.9%
Agriculture in Mason County:
Average size of farms: 176 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $30,791 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $208.66 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.76% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 57.31% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $29,424 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 35.69% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.30% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $58,431 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.63% Average age of principal farm operators: 56 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 20.90 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 11.82% Corn for grain: 2317 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 690 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 3500 harvested acres Vegetables: 32 harvested acres Land in orchards: 17 acres
Tornado activity:
Mason County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Kentucky state average. It is 2442263.3 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused one fatality and 10 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 11/22/1992, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 10 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Mason County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Kentucky state average. It is 39% greater than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 29.3 miles away from Mason County center On 9/7/1988 at 02:28:09, a magnitude 4.6 (4.5 MB, 4.6 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 32.8 miles away from the county center On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 221.5 miles away from the county center On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi) earthquake occurred 322.0 miles away from the county center On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 221.5 miles away from Mason County center On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi) earthquake occurred 209.4 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Kentucky Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: January 20, 2020, FEMA Id: 4497, Natural disaster type: Other
Kentucky Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: March 03, 2015 to March 09, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4218: May 12, 2015, FEMA Id: 4218, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: April 12, 2011 to May 20, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1976: May 04, 2011, FEMA Id: 1976, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, Incident Period: July 17, 2010 to July 30, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1925: July 23, 2010, FEMA Id: 1925, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Flood
Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 01, 2010 to June 01, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1912: May 11, 2010, FEMA Id: 1912, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Mudslide, Flood
Kentucky Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: January 27, 2009 to February 05, 2009, Emergency Declared EM-3302: January 28, 2009, FEMA Id: 3302, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Kentucky Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, Incident Period: January 26, 2009 to February 13, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1818: February 05, 2009, FEMA Id: 1818, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Flood
Kentucky Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3231: September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: 3231, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides, Incident Period: May 26, 2004 to June 18, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1523: June 10, 2004, FEMA Id: 1523, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Mudslide, Flood
Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 04, 2003 to May 27, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1471: June 03, 2003, FEMA Id: 1471, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
7 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Mason County (17) is near the US average (15). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 13 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 10, Storms: 9, Tornadoes: 5, Winter Storms: 5, Mudslides: 4, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Landslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (12%)
Management occupations (10%)
Transportation occupations (10%)
Sales and related occupations (8%)
Construction and extraction occupations (8%)
Material moving occupations (7%)
Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (12%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (12%)
Management occupations (10%)
Sales and related occupations (10%)
Healthcare support occupations (9%)
Educational instruction, and library occupations (9%)
Dominican Republic (56%)
Japan (30%)
Canada (14%)
England (12%)
Portugal (5%)
Uganda (4%)
Sweden (0%)
American (33%)
English (20%)
Irish (8%)
German (7%)
Pennsylvania German (2%)
European (2%)
Scottish (1%)
People in group quarters in Mason County, Kentucky in 2010:
164 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
126 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
8 people in other noninstitutional facilities
People in group quarters in Mason County, Kentucky in 2000:
183 people in nursing homes
121 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
19 people in homes for the mentally retarded
9 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2020 was $56,977.
6.48% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($41,906 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.48%
Kentucky average:
7.04%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.73% relocated from other counties in Kentucky ($22,872 average AGI)
2.75% relocated from other states ($19,035 average AGI)
Mason County:
2.75%
Kentucky average:
2.87%
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
6.58% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($40,976 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.58%
Kentucky average:
6.89%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.31% relocated to other counties in Kentucky ($25,461 average AGI)
2.27% relocated to other states ($15,515 average AGI)
Mason County:
2.27%
Kentucky average:
2.73%
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.4 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 13.0
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 11.6 Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 12.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 10.6 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 8.4
Population without health insurance coverage in 2018: 5.9% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2018: 3.6%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Mason County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 3,207 (2,562 aged, 645 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 425 (10%)
Most common underlying causes of death in Mason County, Kentucky in 1999 - 2019:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (328)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (55)
Unspecified dementia (26)
Congestive heart failure (13)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (10)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 5.9 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 21,426 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 596 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 88,741
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,091 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,202 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 6
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 59 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 105
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 12
Household type by relationship:
Households: 17,053
Male householders: 3,044 (952 living alone), Female householders: 4,129 (1,398 living alone)
2,273 married couples with children.
999 single-parent households (157 men, 842 women).
97.0% of residents of Mason speak English at home.
1.4% of residents speak Spanish at home (100% speak English very well).
1.1% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (94% speak English very well, 3% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (38% speak English well, 62% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $93,161,000 ($5,500 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,812,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $40,242,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $21,934,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $1,352,000 Federal grants: $25,097,000 Federal procurement contracts: $645,000 ($26,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $3,892,000 ($672,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $439,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $6,758,000 Federal Government insurance: $6,111,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,050
Here:
61 per 1000 residents
State:
69 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,048
Here:
61 per 1000 residents
State:
50 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +66
Here:
+4 per 1000 residents
State:
+7 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +307
Here:
+18 per 1000 residents
State:
+8 per 1000 residents
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 2.99 millions of gallons per day (14% from ground, 86% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.7
State:
6.4
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.3
State:
4.4
Year house built in Mason County, Kentucky
492020 or later
4322010 to 2019
1,0842000 to 2009
1,2351990 to 1999
8341980 to 1989
1,0741970 to 1979
7841960 to 1969
8181950 to 1959
4981940 to 1949
1,3071939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Mason County, Kentucky
Cars and other vehicles available in Mason County in owner-occupied houses/condos
131no vehicle
1,4761 vehicle
1,7642 vehicles
8663 vehicles
5194 vehicles
1875+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Mason County in renter-occupied apartments
545no vehicle
1,0321 vehicle
3892 vehicles
1503 vehicles
824 vehicles
255+ vehicles
87.7% of Mason County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 27% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 76% lived in Kentucky.
Mason County:
87.7%
State average:
87.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 12,831
Other state: 3,889
Northeast: 203
Midwest: 2,540
South: 861
West: 277
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Mason County
(49.3%)
(50.7%)
, Cabell County, West Virginia 
, Clay County, Illinois 
0.75% ($39,511 average AGI)
