Mason County, Washington

Mason County, Washington

Location in the state of Washington

Washington's location in the U.S.
Founded March 13, 1854
Seat Shelton
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,051 sq mi (2,722 km²)
961 sq mi (2,489 km²)
90 sq mi (233 km²), 8.56%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density

60,699
63/sq mi (24.3/km²)
Website www.co.mason.wa.us

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named for the first Secretary of Washington Territory, Charles H. Mason.[1] As of 2010, the population was 60,699. The county seat is at Shelton, the county's only incorporated city. Mason County has several school districts.

Mason County was formed out of King County on March 13, 1854. Originally named Sahewamish County, it took its present name in 1864.[2][3]

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,051 square miles (2,720 km2), of which 961 square miles (2,490 km2) is land and 90 square miles (230 km2) (8.56%) is water.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 162
1870 289 78.4%
1880 639 121.1%
1890 2,826 342.3%
1900 3,810 34.8%
1910 5,156 35.3%
1920 4,919 −4.6%
1930 10,060 104.5%
1940 11,603 15.3%
1950 15,022 29.5%
1960 16,251 8.2%
1970 20,918 28.7%
1980 31,184 49.1%
1990 38,341 23.0%
2000 49,405 28.9%
2010 60,699 22.9%

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 49,405 people, 18,912 households, and 13,389 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 25,515 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 3.72% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. 4.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% were of German, 9.9% Irish, 9.8% English, 8.6% United States or American and 6.8% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 18,912 households out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were 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.

Census-recognized communities

Other communities

See also

References

External links