Mason County
WA · Pop. 66,968 · Suburban County
Mason County sits in Washington across 960 square miles, home to 66,968 people at 69.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. A median home price of $377,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.5°F and average winter lows of 34.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 89.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mason General Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 68.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 216-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Mason General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 89.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $377,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 68.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Mason County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $377k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 216 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 89.8"
- Broadband
- 68.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Mason General Hospital, 9.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mason County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mason County?
- Mason County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.5°F, and average winter lows of 34.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $377,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 68.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mason General Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Washington
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The closest counties to Mason County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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