Editing Mason County, Washington

{{Short description|County in Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Mason County
| state = Washington
| seal =
| flag = 
| founded year = 1854
| founded date = March 13
| seat wl = Shelton
| largest city wl = Shelton
| area_total_sq_mi = 1051
| area_land_sq_mi = 959
| area_water_sq_mi = 92
| area percentage = 8.7
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 65726
| pop_est_as_of = 2024
| population_est = 69632 {{increase}}
| density_sq_mi = 63
| time zone = Pacific
| named for = [[Charles H. Mason]]
| ex image = Mason County Courthouse - Shelton Washington.jpg
| ex image cap = Mason County Courthouse
| district = 6th
| website = {{URL|https://masoncountywa.gov/|masoncountywa.gov}}
}}

'''Mason County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 65,726.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/masoncountywashington/PST045223 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and only incorporated city is [[Shelton, Washington|Shelton]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed out of [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]] on March 13, 1854.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{Cite news |last=Wilma |first=David |date=April 30, 2006 |title=Mason County — Thumbnail History |url=https://historylink.org/File/7730 |access-date=May 27, 2019 |work=[[HistoryLink]]}}</ref> Originally named Sawamish County, it took its present name in 1864 in honor of [[Charles H. Mason]], the first Secretary of [[Washington Territory]].<ref name="HistoryLink" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060505075926/http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa/counties/cnty045.htm Washington Agricultural Statistics Service], US Department of Agriculture, as archived at the [[Internet Archive]]</ref>

Mason County comprises the Shelton [[micropolitan statistical area]] and is included in the [[Seattle]]-[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] [[Seattle metropolitan area|combined statistical area]].
[[File:Mount Ellinor, Mount Washington Panorama.jpg|450px|thumb|Peak of [[Mount Ellinor]] in the Olympic Mountains of Mason County]]

==Geography==
[[File:Mount Rainier over Totten Inlet.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Rainier]] over the [[Totten Inlet]]. Mason County, Washington.]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1051|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|959|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|92|sqmi}} (8.7%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt |access-date=July 7, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Geographic features===
{{div col}}
*Brown Cove
*[[Case Inlet]]
*[[Hammersley Inlet]]
*[[Harstine Island, Washington|Harstine Island]]
*[[Hood Canal]]
*[[Lake Cushman]]
*[[Mason Lake]]
*[[Olympic Mountains]]
*[[Puget Sound]]
*[[Squaxin Island]]
*[[Totten Inlet]]
{{div col end}}
Oakland Bay

===Major highways===
*[[Image:US 101.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 101|U.S. 101]]
*[[Image:WA-3.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 3|SR 3]]
*[[File:WA-108.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 108|SR 108]]
*[[File:WA-106.svg|20px]] [[Washington State Route 106|SR 106]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson County]] – northwest
*[[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap County]] – northeast
*[[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County]] – east/southeast
*[[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]] – southeast
*[[Grays Harbor County, Washington|Grays Harbor County]] – southwest

===National protected areas===
* [[Olympic National Forest]] (part)
* [[Olympic National Park]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 162
|1870= 289
|1880= 639
|1890= 2826
|1900= 3810
|1910= 5156
|1920= 4919
|1930= 10060
|1940= 11603
|1950= 15022
|1960= 16251
|1970= 20918
|1980= 31184
|1990= 38341
|2000= 49405
|2010= 60699
|2020= 65726
|estyear=2024
|estimate=69632
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 60,699 people, 23,832 households, and 16,057 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034455/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53045 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|63.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 32,518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|33.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190650/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53045 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 19.7% were [[Germans|German]], 13.8% were [[English people|English]], 13.5% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 6.7% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], and 4.9% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022235/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53045 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name="census-dp1" />

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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011119/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53045 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 49,405 people, 18,912 households, and 13,389 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|51|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 25,515 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.19% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 3.72% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.45% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.03% from two or more races. 4.78% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 16.7% were of [[German people|German]], 9.9% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.8% [[English people|English]], 8.6% [[United States]] or American and 6.8% [[Norwegian people|Norwegian]] ancestry.

There were 18,912 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 107.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,586, and the median income for a family was $44,246. Males had a median income of $37,007 versus $25,817 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,056. About 8.80% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===City===
*[[Shelton, Washington|Shelton]] (county seat)

===Census-designated places===
*[[Allyn, Washington|Allyn]]
*[[Allyn-Grapeview, Washington|Allyn-Grapeview]] (former)
*[[Belfair, Washington|Belfair]]
*[[Grapeview, Washington|Grapeview]]
*[[Hoodsport, Washington|Hoodsport]]
*[[Kamilche, Washington|Kamilche]]
*[[Skokomish, Washington|Skokomish]]
*[[Union, Washington|Union]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
*[[Eldon, Washington|Eldon]]
*[[Harstine Island, Washington|Harstine Island]]
*[[Lake Cushman, Washington|Lake Cushman]]
*[[Lilliwaup, Washington|Lilliwaup]]
*[[Matlock, Washington|Matlock]]
*[[Mohrweis, Washington|Mohrweis]]
*[[Potlatch, Washington|Potlatch]]
*[[Tahuya, Washington|Tahuya]]
{{div col end}}

==Government==
===Board of county commissioners===
* District 1 (North Mason) - Randy Neatherlin, elected 2013<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shephard |first=Arla |date=January 11, 2011 |title=Randy Neatherlin sworn in as Mason County Commissioner |url=https://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/randy-neatherlin-sworn-in-as-mason-county-commissioner-ep-416721781-356328871.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |newspaper=Kitsap Sun}}</ref>
* District 2 (West Mason) - Kevin Shutty, elected 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty Not Seeking Reelection |url=https://www.hcc.net/news/?id=55465 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=Hood Canal Communications}}</ref>
* District 3 (Central Mason) - Sharon Trask, elected 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Commissioner - District 3 |url=https://masoncountywa.gov/commissioners/district3.php |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Mason County}}</ref>

===State legislators===
====35th Legislative District====
* Sen. [[Drew MacEwen|Drew MacEwan]] (R)
* Rep. [[Dan Griffey]] (R)
* Rep. Travis Couture (R)
{{PresHead|place=Mason County, Washington|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 464 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 339 votes, [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 22 votes, and [[Socialist Labor Party of America|Socialist Labor]] candidate [[Arthur Reimer]] received 12 votes.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|18,127|17,215|1,347|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|18,710|17,269|1,324|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,677|11,993|3,333|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|12,761|14,764|964|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|12,600|15,050|863|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|11,987|12,894|513|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|10,257|10,876|1,347|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|7,149|10,088|3,513|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,776|8,076|5,774|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|7,426|7,826|293|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,410|7,007|233|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,745|5,241|1,751|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|4,758|6,060|473|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,873|3,907|397|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|3,397|4,540|653|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,549|5,514|8|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,703|4,183|16|Washington (state)}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,026|3,840|20|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,827|3,830|43|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,524|3,613|364|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,976|3,379|42|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,775|3,465|106|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,015|3,087|296|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|995|2,181|726|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,745|992|35|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|902|179|759|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|997|383|399|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|764|779|181|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|439|522|837|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|553|318|106|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|661|315|65|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|514|455|31|Washington}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|397|667|13|Washington}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|352|356|130|Washington}}

==Healthcare==
Mason County has one hospital, Mason General Hospital, in Shelton, operated by Washington Public Hospital District No. 1.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arla Shephard Bull |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Mason General to build new medical office building |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/communities/mason/2017/11/16/mason-general-build-new-medical-office-building/872648001/}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=2018 Facility Fees |year=2018 |url=https://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/HealthcareinWashington/HospitalandPatientData/HospitalFinancialData/HospitalFacilityFees/2018FacilityFees |access-date=March 14, 2020 |publisher=Washington State Department of Health}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Public Hospital District Directory |url=http://www.awphd.org/our-members/public-hospital-district-directory |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Washington]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mason County, Washington}}
* [http://www.explorehoodcanal.com Official Tourism Web Site for Mason County]
* [https://masoncountywa.gov/ County of Mason – official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013161924/http://www.masoncounty.com/Profile__COVER.html Mason County profile] by the ''Shelton-Mason County Journal''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080328164449/http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/ ''Mason County Daily News'']

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Mason County, Washington
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap County]]
|East      = [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County]]
|Southeast = [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Grays Harbor County, Washington|Grays Harbor County]]
|West      = 
|Northwest = [[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson County]]
}}

{{Mason County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}
{{Seattle Metro}}

{{coord|47.35|-123.18|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Mason County, Washington| ]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Washington Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:Western Washington]]