Mason City, Iowa, is a great place to call home. This small town has embraced growth while still maintaining its small-town charm. The city has experienced an influx in population due to major employers like Walmart and Mercy Hospital opening up locations here. Mason City’s low cost of living makes it an affordable option for those looking for a new place to live or invest in property. It offers the perfect balance between work and play with plenty of parks, trails, lakes, golf courses, and more!
If you’re considering buying a house or investing in real estate, we recommend contacting one of our qualified agents today! We can help you find your dream home at just the right price point.
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The Best of Restaurants
Visit any local restaurant or cafe. There’s plenty from which to choose! Including but not limited to: Break Time Cafe (great sandwiches), Brewskey Coffee (coffee shop), Latte Da (coffees & teas), Food Bowl Restaurant (breakfast lunch & dinner, healthy options), Nick’s Italian (pizza/Italian restaurant), Wild Ginger (Asian cuisine & sushi) … and many more!
Rejoicing & Restful Recreation
There are several parks to choose from: Lakefront Park, located on the southeast side of Mason City is a beautiful place to spend time. With pavilions, playgrounds, trails, picnic tables, and plenty of space for playing. It also boasts a historic carousel that was originally built in 1909 by the Herschell-Spillman Company. It is listed as one of the oldest operating merry-go-rounds in the world today! Enjoy local festivals year-round, such as Ragamuffin Days held every July 4th weekend featuring music concerts, carnival rides & games, live entertainment, and fireworks displays. Several more events are listed on their city website.
This area offers a downtown atmosphere with entertainment options ranging from museums to nightlife (restaurants & bars, even wine tasting).
Cozy Up with Mason City Real Estate
Mason City is home to the Iowa State Fair. Each August, it hosts the largest event of its kind in North America and draws over one million people for this ten-day event. In addition, there are many other fairs, festivals, and community activities held in the town throughout the year, making this an ideal location for visitors as well as residents looking to engage with others living here.
There are six public schools within the city limits of Mason City: West Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, and Mason City Middle/High Schools. All of these public schools are rated excellent by school standards, with the middle and high schools boasting above-average graduation rates. So, Mason City is a safe bet if you’re a parent looking for a great place to start your family!
A Great Place to Start a Family
Several lucrative options are blooming for real estate in Mason City Iowa, for those looking to settle down. There is a huge range in price (under $100,000 to over $1 Million) as well as size (from 1-bedroom condos all the way up to 6-bedroom estates). With such a large selection, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re buying your first home or you’re a seasoned investor! The housing market in Mason City is solid and will only continue to grow as more people find out how great this small town is!
Another great piece of information about Mason City is that it’s ranked as a good place for young families. In 2014, AreaVibes rated the top cities for working parents based on their amenities geared toward young children, such as playgrounds per capita and accessibility to pediatricians. #20 was Mason City! With three playgrounds and eight pediatricians, you can tell Mason City has your children covered.
A Warm & Welcoming Community
The US Census Bureau recently released these statistics. The majority of residents are white (88%), followed by Black or African American (4%), then Hispanic (2%). The most common racial combination is White; Black, accounting for 20% of the city’s population. The city is considered more diverse than the state average due to a high percentage of Hispanic (10%) and Asian (5%) residents compared to the national average.
The two main ancestries of people in Mason City are German and Norwegian. Iowa has one of the largest percentages of Norwegian ancestry, with 33% being from this heritage, making it a reason that many come here to live.
Moderate Food & Living Expenses
Mason City is a pretty inexpensive place to live compared to the rest of the country in terms of food costs. The cost of groceries and household items in Mason City are 11% less than the national average, making it an affordable option for those looking for a new place to live or invest in property.
Many successful young professionals are living within the city limits of Mason City that love this small community. Even though there is so much going on here and growth taking place, it’s still a friendly town where everyone knows their neighbor! There’s also plenty of opportunities to get involved with local events such as downtown picnics, holiday festivals, and parades like Winter Wonderland.
Economical & Financial Hub of Iowa
The City of Mason City is the largest employer within city limits, which means jobs with high and low wages are easy to come by. There are so many different job opportunities in Mason City, such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, retail, and more! There’s also a strong sense of community pride when you live here or invest in property. Every year, residents gather for events like Lantern Fest, where lanterns fill the sky along with fireworks and entertainment for everyone to enjoy!
The cost of living in Mason City is also ideal. Housing and general expenses are lower than the national average, while salaries for those who work within city limits tend to be higher than the state’s average income! In addition, the nearby cities of Coralville & Iowa City offer access to more opportunities and more extensive libraries if needed while still maintaining a small-town atmosphere.
While Mason City misses the shimmer and extravagant pomp of metropolitan cities, it is the perfect place to build a life of contentment and bliss. Mason City offers you a stable and peaceful atmosphere to raise your children into responsible and hopeful adults through a strong sense of community and compassionate living. Mason City offers you a lifetime of laughs, love, and adventure. A life with every day full of worthwhile memories that last forever.
