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Mason City, IA

Frequently asked questions

Mason City, IA

Mason City is a city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,338 in the 2020 census. Mason City is known for its musical heritage, high concentrations of renowned Prairie School-style architecture, and a close connection with nearby Clear Lake. 

The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties. Local institutions of higher education include North Iowa Area Community College. The Winnebago River traverses the community to the southeast.

The region around what would later be first called Shibboleth was a summer home to the Sioux and Winnebago nations. The first settlement that became Shibboleth was established in 1853 at the confluence of the Winnebago River and Calmus Creek. The town had several names: Shibboleth, Masonic Grove, and Masonville until Mason City was adopted in 1855, in honor of a founder's son, Mason Long. 

In 1854, John McMillin opened the first store, and Dr. Silas Card opened the first medical practice in the area. Lizzie Thompson established the first schoolhouse in a log cabin in 1856. The United States Post Office Department started service to the town in 1857. Mason City was named the county seat in 1858. In 1870, Mason City, Iowa was officially incorporated as a town with Darius B. Mason as the first mayor.

The city's "favorite son," Meredith Willson, grew up in Mason City and played in the Mason City Symphonic Band as a high school student. Willson's crowning achievement was the famous stage musical The Music Man. Many of the characters in it were based on people Willson knew from his childhood in Mason City. Mason City also features the Parker's Opera House.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.10 square miles (72.78 km²), of which 27.81 square miles (72.03 km²) is land and 0.29 square miles (0.75 km²) is water. 

Mason City places a strong emphasis on health and wellness to its residents. MercyOne North Iowa offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. The Mason City Family YMCA provides extensive fitness facilities, swimming pools, and group exercise classes designed for all ages. Anytime Fitness offers 24/7 access to state-of-the-art workout equipment and personalized fitness programs. Voortmann Chiropractic & Natural Body Restoration focuses on chiropractic care and holistic health services to enhance overall well-being. Planet Fitness ensures round-the-clock access to modern fitness equipment and expert fitness guidance. L&T Bodyworks Massage provides therapeutic massages aimed at relieving stress and pain. North Iowa Community Center delivers comprehensive wellness programs, including nutrition counseling and fitness classes. Together, these facilities foster a vibrant health and wellness environment in Mason City, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Top sites in Mason City, IA are Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Music Man Square, and Lime Creek Nature Center.

Population: 26,906 (2023). ZIP code: 50401. Area code: 641. Elevation: 1,129 ft. (344 m). Area: 28.16 sq mi (72.92 km²).

FAQs

What is Mason City, IA known for?

Mason City is home to the largest group of Prairie School designed homes on a unified site and the location of the first and only Prairie School house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Iowa. The First National Bank was robbed by John Dillinger and his gang on March 13, 1934. They escaped with $52,000 despite the fact the bank actually had more than $300,000 on hand that day.

Is Mason City, IA a good place to live?

Worldatlas.com has listed Mason City as one of Iowa’s 9 Most Underrated Towns to visit in 2024. As the largest city in the region, Mason City is the culture, entertainment and economic center of North Iowa. Conveniently located  120 miles north of Des Moines and 135 miles south of Minneapolis/St. Paul, vibrant shopping, delicious dining, and lively community events are all part of everyday life. Combined with quality schools, picturesque neighborhoods, access to great healthcare, and excellent employment opportunities, you quickly see why Mason City is a great place to call home.

What is the crime rate in Mason City, IA?

The crime rate in Mason City is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 30 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Mason City is 1 in 34. Based on FBI crime data, Mason City is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Iowa, Mason City has a crime rate that is higher than 97% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Mason City

Visit Mason City Iowa

Neighborhood Scout

Charles H. MacNider Art Museum

Music Man Square

Lime Creek Nature Center

MercyOne North Iowa

Mason City Family YMCA

Anytime Fitness

Voortmann Chiropractic & Natural Body Restoration

Planet Fitness

L&T Bodyworks Massage

North Iowa Community Center

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