The story of this market
The typical home in Mason County, Washington sells for about $549,900, or $305 per square foot.
Prices are up +5.24% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 59 days to sell. Over the long run, values in this county have grown 213% since 2000. Last year 12 of 18 neighborhoods saw prices rise, so the story isn't the same street to street. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,572 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,572 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Relatively High.
Price climate
Every year of price change, 2000–2025
0%
2025
Each stripe is one year's median price change across the area's census tracts (FHFA repeat-sales index). Deep blue is a strong gain year, red a falling year. Best: 2021 (+18.5%). Worst: 2009 (-9.2%). Hover to read a year.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
-0.2%
WA · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$2,177
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Neighborhood price trend
Long-run price trend, 2000–2025
0%
2025 change
FHFA repeat-sales index, median of 18 census tracts in this county (2000 = 100). Bars are each year's median change.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
82
Relatively High
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $44,281,970.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
77.6%
2018 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4581 | 2344 | 77.6% | 2.6% | $255,000 |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
Mason County, Washington
The Mason County housing market is showing signs of stabilization with a median listing price of $549,900 and a moderate inventory level. While days on market have increased, the year-over-year price growth indicates sustained demand for the area's lifestyle amenities. Buyers are finding more options as inventory levels have begun to normalize.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: median price diverges 19.9% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2024)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 9 cities · 9 ZIP reports
Median prices moved up 0.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 24 days on market with 2.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
27% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 75.91% of asking — demand is cooling.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.8% · poverty 10.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Deterministic aggregate of 9 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Mason County, Washington — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 10.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
No researched properties in this county yet — the property base layer populates as property research runs, and each property feeds its ZIP's roll-up.
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
researched Sep 26
| 98524 | Allyn | $542,993 | $296 | — | 31 | — | — | — | 74 | $2,297 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98528 | Belfair | $569,975 | $315 | +2.1% | 27 | 98.5% | 15% | 3.8 | 450 | $1,850 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98546 | Allyn-Grapeview | $369,000 | $243 | +0.8% | 24 | 100.3% | 35.8% | 2.8 | 1,362 | $1,650 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98548 | Hoodsport | $398,000 | $319 | +0.8% | 24 | 100.3% | 35.8% | 2.8 | 100 | $1,275 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98555 | Lilliwaup | $335,000 | $265 | -2.1% | 54 | 97.5% | 15% | 6 | 12 | $1,850 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98560 | Matlock | $530,000 | $275 | +2.5% | 45 | 98.5% | 15% | 3.2 | 120 | $1,850 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98584 | Shelton | $435,000 | $300 | +0.3% | 22 | 97% | 35.8% | 2.8 | 154 | $1,622 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98588 | Tahuya | $515,592 | $313 | +0.3% | 37 | — | — | — | 53 | $1,572 | researched Sep 26 |
| 98592 | Union | $526,712 | $297 | +0.3% | 13 | 100.3% | 35.8% | 2.8 | 1,666 | $2,395 | researched Sep 26 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Crime rates in Mason County are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported offense. Regional trends show stability, though rural areas experience different safety dynamics compared to the more populated Shelton city center.
Schools in Mason County are primarily served by the Shelton and Pioneer school districts, which generally receive moderate performance ratings. Educational quality is often characterized by smaller class sizes and community-focused programming.
The county faces moderate risks from wildfires in forested areas and seasonal flooding near the Skokomish River basin. Insurance markets are stable but increasingly sensitive to wildfire mitigation requirements for residential properties.
Economic momentum is driven by the timber industry, tourism, and government employment in nearby Olympia. Infrastructure development is focused on expanding broadband access and improving transit connectivity along the Highway 101 corridor.
Property taxes are assessed by the Mason County Assessor based on market value, with rates varying by local taxing districts including school, fire, and emergency medical service levies. Exemptions are available for senior citizens and disabled veterans as per Washington state law.
Mason County offers extensive outdoor recreation, including access to the Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal for boating and shellfish harvesting, and numerous freshwater lakes. The area is a destination for hiking, fishing, and camping enthusiasts.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and steady demand, particularly for single-family homes. Vacancy rates remain low, and rent growth has tracked with regional inflationary trends.
The economy is anchored by the timber and wood products industry, public sector employment, and a growing tourism and hospitality sector. It serves as a gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, supporting local retail and service businesses.
Transportation is primarily served by U.S. Route 101, which acts as the main artery for north-south travel. Public transit is provided by Mason Transit Authority, connecting the county to Olympia and surrounding areas.
The Mason County Assessor's office conducts annual revaluations of all real property to ensure assessments reflect current market conditions. Physical inspections are performed on a cyclical basis to maintain accurate property records.
The county is served by various special purpose districts, including public utility districts for electricity, fire protection districts, and hospital districts that provide essential services to rural residents.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by the county's high wildfire risk classification in forested zones. Homeowners are encouraged to participate in Firewise programs to potentially lower insurance costs.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A major fjord offering world-class shellfish harvesting, boating, and scenic waterfront living.
Provides vast wilderness access for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
A popular destination for swimming, kayaking, and summer recreation in a mountain setting.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov; figures represent county-wide averages.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.