Mason County Public RecordsWashington

Mason County, WA, has a crime rate above the national average, with 2022 statistics showing 2,305 crimes per 100,000 residents. Property crimes—primarily theft and burglary—constituted over 85% of reported offenses, while violent crimes made up about 15%, with an average of 3.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office encourages prompt reporting and community vigilance, which has contributed to a slight year-over-year decrease in overall crime. Community policing and increased neighborhood watch programs have also helped improve local safety awareness.

Mason County, WA has 28 public schools, including 4 high schools, serving around 8,200 students. About 84% of residents hold a high school diploma, while approximately 16% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average high school graduation rate is 82%. Schools offer career, technical, and adult education programs. Recent statewide reports rate school safety as average, with a score of 6 out of 10. Notable educational programs include STEM initiatives and Running Start for college credit.

As of 2022, Mason County, WA, has an employment rate of approximately 56%. Major employment sectors include government (26%), healthcare and social assistance (15%), and retail trade (11%). The most common occupations are office and administrative support (13%), management (11%), and sales (9%). About 74% of workers commute by car, with a mean travel time of 29 minutes. Many residents work locally, though a significant portion commute to neighboring counties such as Thurston and Kitsap for employment opportunities.

Mason County, WA, has a homeownership rate of about 73%, with median home values around $377,000 as of 2024. Typical rent for a two-bedroom is approximately $1,350 monthly. The county features a mix of single-family homes, waterfront properties, and rural cabins, especially in neighborhoods like Shelton, Belfair, and Union. Property values have risen nearly 7% year-over-year. Property tax rates average 0.98%, resulting in a median tax bill of about $3,700 annually. The housing market is moderately competitive, with homes averaging 20 days on the market.

As of 2023, Mason County, WA has an estimated population of 67,000. The median age is around 46 years. Gender distribution is roughly even, with 50.3% male and 49.7% female residents. Racially, the population is predominantly White (82%), with Hispanic/Latino (8%), Native American (4%), Asian (1.5%), and African American (1%) communities, and 3.5% identifying as two or more races.

Mason County, WA, has around 44,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include federal, state, local, primary, and special measures, with approximately 72% turnout in the 2020 general election. Major parties are Democrat and Republican, with recent results leaning slightly Republican in rural precincts. Ballots are primarily mail-in, with 4 ballot drop-box locations countywide. Issues frequently focus on timber industry, housing, and infrastructure. Elections are administered by the Mason County Auditor’s Office, ensuring compliance and transparency. Results and voter information are available at masoncountywa.gov and the Washington Secretary of State site.