Mason County
Surrounded by nature
Median $274K
You're looking at a stretch of West Michigan where Lake Michigan sits right at your doorstep—literally, in some spots—and the landscape shifts between waterfront access, wooded parcels with room to breathe, and small-town walkability. Scottville and Ludington anchor the area, each about 8 minutes apart, with downtown shops and restaurants within steps alongside a working agricultural backdrop: orchards, farmland, and the kind of properties where pole barns and acreage are still the norm. The Pere Marquette River runs through, Ludington's beaches and river park draw people in summer, and Long Lake offers all-sport recreation if you're after quieter water than the big lake. You'll find remodeled cottages tucked into the trees near Bass Lake's outlet, ranch homes on improved lots near schools and hospitals, and the occasional farmhouse on 10 acres waiting for someone to take it on. There's enough restaurant and coffee traffic that you're never far from a meal, but the character stays rooted in land—if you're drawn to space, water access, and a rhythm that still honors what grew here, this is the feel.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Lake Michigan within walking distance
$62K median household income
- $274K median · 270 sales in last 12mo
Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Mason County
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,857/mo
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS Consumer Access
270 homes sold in Mason County this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthFlood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Ludington State Park
3.9 mi
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Lake Michigan
0.0 mi
In 2024, the most common reported offenses in Mason County were larceny / theft (456 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (141 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
No homicides were reported in 2024.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 456 |
| Aggravated assault | 141 |
| Burglary | 73 |
| Rape | 53 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 29 |
| Arson | 10 |
| Homicide | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Mason County Sheriff's Office, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Comparison cities are the nearest in population, ordered by size — not ranked by crime. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Mason County home (around $273,500) at today's 6.43% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $44k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,652 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Mason County household earns $62,296 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $401,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,652/mo | $44,059 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,926/mo | $51,370 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,018/mo | $53,811 |
Estimates use a 6.43% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price and median property taxes, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not an APR or a commitment to lend — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
128 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$15K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$56K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
8 buildings
Active / pending
Median Price
$310K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$136K
Median
Who actually lends in Mason County, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Median Income
$62K
Home Value (Census)
$199K
Frequently asked about Mason County
- What do homes cost in Mason County?
- The median home value in Mason County is about $273,500. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Mason County housing market?
- there are 131 homes for sale in Mason County right now, and 270 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.