On June 1, 1803, Revolutionary War veteran William Mason paid $1,700 at auction to purchase 640 acres of land in what is now downtown Mason. Mason remained a small farming community for years. In 1970, a year before the town was incorporated to become a city, there were fewer than 5,700 residents. Today, the City of Mason covers over 11,200 acres and is home to nearly 25,000 people and approximately 500 businesses. (Historical information from Around Mason, Ohio: A Story, by Rose Marie Springman.)

Mason City Schools have been ranked among the top in Ohio's school systems.  The Mason City School district has received many Ohio Blue Ribbons for Excellence. The class of 2006 was exceptional in that it graduated four students who will attend the ivy leagues, and 14 students who were national merit scholars or commended merit scholars. The class of 2007 has 20 members who were national merit scholars or commended merit scholars. The William Mason HS Wind Symphony was invited in 2004 to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, recognized as the most prestigious high school concert band performance in the world.  School programs are also successful at the state level, with the girls basketball team being the state champions in 2000, the girls track team were state champions in 2004, the Mock Trial Team being the state runner-ups in 2006 and the debate team placing first in 2005. (Wikipedia.com)

Mason is also recognized as the resort area of southwest Ohio. Paramount's Kings Island Amusement Park, The Beach Waterpark, and The Golf Center at Kings Island are among the prominent recreation destinations in Mason. Mason is home to the world-recognized Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati as well as several well-loved local annual events.

Mason has preserved its small town charm, but maintains a high level of municipal services and a prestigious corporate community. Over $50 million in utility and infrastructure projects have prepared the city for the ongoing growth.

A combination of fortunate location, far-sighted city leadership, innovative management, outstanding schools, successful corporations, and a close-knit traditional community have succeeded in building a progressive, polished city with a comfortable hometown feel. Mason's community theme campaign, "imagine Mason," embodies this outlook by capturing the essence of a city that continues to reflect on the past while creating the future.

Fast Facts¹

• The City of Mason is the fastest growing city in Warren County. Warren County is the second fastest growing county of Ohio's 88 counties. In 1990, there were 11,500 residents. In 2000, there were 22,016 residents, a 92% increase.

• Recently ranked the second fastest growing city in Ohio, the 2003 population is estimated to be 25,297.

• Warren County is ranked as the nation's 117th (out of 3,141) most affluent (county), placing it among the top three percent of the counties in the United States.

• Median household income is almost $79,000; per capita income hit $34,333. The average home in Warren County sells for $142,000. And 44 percent of workers there have management or professional jobs.

• Both school districts in the City of Mason, Mason City and Kings Local, achieved a perfect 27/27 rating on the 2003 State Report Card and received a designation of "excellent."

• Mason has three of the 25 most difficult tri-state public golf courses: The Grizzly-North/West - Golf Center at Kings Island (11), Western Row Golf Course (19), and Crooked Tree Golf Course (20). (Ranked by USGA course rating)
  Mason has two of the 25 most difficult regional public golf courses: Golf Center at Kings Island - The Grizzly (6) and Crooked Tree Golf Course (24).

Demographics¹

Climate

Annual average temperature - 54 degrees
July average maximum temperature - 86 degrees
January average temperature - 21 degrees
Annual average rainfall - 34"
Annual average snowfall - 29"

Education

Mason City Schools
7 public schools
Student enrollment 2003-2004 - 8,642 students

2 private schools
609 students

A few public school students are in the Kings Local or Lebanon City School District

Elevation

700 - 950 feet above sea level

Incorporated

1815 as the Village of Palmira
1971 as a city

Location

22 miles northeast of Cincinnati
30 miles south of Dayton
Centrally located between Interstates 71 and 75
Just a few miles north of I-275

Parks

6 city parks cover 242 acres that include baseball fields, basketball courts, fishing lakes, hiking trails, picnic shelters, playgrounds, soccer fields, softball fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and wildlife areas. For more information, see City Parks.

Places of Worship

21 facilities representing 13 denominations

Population

1980 Census - 8,692
1990 Census - 11,452
2000 Census - 22,019
2004 Census estimate - 27,958

Residences

The average new single family residence in Mason contains 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and approximately 3,000 square feet. The median value of this single family house and lot was estimated to be about $375,000 in 2004.

Residency

Fees for many programs, including passes to the Mason Community Center, are determined by your residency. You are a Mason resident if you live within the municipal limits of the City of Mason. You are a Community resident if you live within the City of Mason or within the boundaries of the Mason City School District.

Having a Mason mailing address (zip code 45040) does not mean you are also a city resident. Many residents outside the city limits have the 45040 zip code.

Roadways

135 miles of roadway 150 miles of storm sewers 150 miles of water and sewer line

Size

17.65 square miles
11,298 acres