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. In 1815, he platted 16 lots on this land and named the village Palmira.  In 1832, two years after the death of William Mason and according to his will, over 40 more lots were platted on the north, south, and west of Palmira.  When the plat was officially recorded, the name of the village was listed as Plymyra.

In 1835, a petition was sent to the federal post office to correct the mane of the town.  It ahd been listed as kirkwood, possibly an error because the postmaster at the time was William Kirkwood.  When village officials were informed that there was another Palmyra in Ohio, the name was officially changed to Mason.  Mason remained a small farming community for another 125 years. In 1960 there were little more than 4,700 residents. Today, the City of Mason covers 18 square miles and is home to more than 29,500 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)

Along with being listed as one of the top 100 places to live by Money Magazine, 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"

Community Center

Activity room, arts and crafts studio, auditorium, the BRIDGE (for older adults), competition pool, field house, fitness center, game room, gymnasium, indoor playground, Kids' Korner, leisure pool, locker room, meeting rooms, track, and weight room.

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

History

Founded in 1815 as the Village of Palmira
Charter approved in 1969
Incorporated in 1971 as the City of Mason

Location

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

Parks

7 city parks cover 301 acres that include baseball fields, basketball courts, fishing lakes, hiking trails, disc golf, football fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, soccer fields, softball fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, water playground, 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
2006 Census - 29,491

Residences

The average new single family residence in Mason contains 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and approximately 3,400 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

170 miles of roadway
160 miles of storm sewers
131 miles of water line and
150 miles of sewer line

Size

18 square miles
11,298 acres