Mason City, IA Micro Area
Mason City, IA · Micro Area
49,982Population
A micropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.
- Median household income
- $68,926
- Median home value
- $162,900
- Land area
- 968 sq mi 52 people per sq mi
Market now
Counties in this micro area
Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.
| County | Role | Population | Median income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Gordo County, IA | Central | 42,632 | $68,189 | $166,400 |
| Worth County, IA | Outlying | 7,350 | $78,008 | $145,800 |
Largest cities and towns
20 places in our city pages lie in this area.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City, IA | City | 27,050 | $64,804 |
| Clear Lake, IA | City | 7,607 | $79,415 |
| Northwood, IA | City | 2,040 | $63,450 |
| Manly, IA | City | 1,320 | $72,813 |
| Rockwell, IA | City | 986 | $60,982 |
| Ventura, IA | City | 733 | $91,944 |
| Thornton, IA | City | 514 | $67,031 |
| Plymouth, IA | City | 407 | $80,000 |
| Grafton, IA | City | 271 | $48,750 |
| Kensett, IA | City | 270 | $44,643 |
| Meservey, IA | City | 262 | $46,750 |
| Fertile, IA | City | 255 | $65,000 |
| Hanlontown, IA | City | 249 | $72,813 |
| Joice, IA | City | 207 | $66,250 |
| Swaledale, IA | City | 148 | $51,912 |
| Rock Falls, IA | City | 119 | $71,042 |
| Dougherty, IA | City | 88 | $45,500 |
| Burchinal, IA | CDP | 53 | — |
| Portland, IA | CDP | 29 | — |
| Bolan, IA | CDP | 0 | — |
Demographic Rates
Race & Ethnicity
Income Profile
Income Distribution
Sex Distribution
Population Split
The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.
Ancestry
Immigration & Nativity
Nativity Status
Citizenship Status
Period of Entry
Housing Characteristics
Housing Tenure
Housing Types
Education Enrollment
K-12 Enrollment
Higher Education
Transportation & Commute
Commute Mode
Vehicle Ownership
Age Distribution
Population Composition
The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.
Household Composition
Household Types
Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.
Economic Profile
Household Income Breakdown
Key Industries
Health & Disability
Disability Rate
Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.
Health Insurance Coverage
Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.
Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.
Technology Access
Cost of Living & Housing
Cost of Living Scale
Lower is betterPrices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.
Housing Affordability
Higher is better100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).
The BEA publishes price levels for metro areas only, so for this micro area the cost-of-living figure is the state's average for areas outside metros.