Mason, Tennessee Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Mason, Tennessee is a small city located in the northern part of the state, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With a population of just over 10,000, Mason is an intimate and tight-knit community with a rich history and culture. The geography of Mason is heavily wooded and mountainous, with the highest peak being Mt. Gentry at 1,500 feet. The climate in Mason is mild throughout the year with temperatures rarely reaching extreme highs or lows. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cool but not too cold.
Mason’s history dates back to its founding in 1791 as a small agricultural town by settlers from Virginia. It was originally called Hamptonville but was later renamed after an early settler named William Mason. Over time it grew into a vibrant city that played an important role during both the Civil War and World War II. Today, politics in Mason tend to be conservative leaning with most of its citizens voting Republican in elections.
The economy of Mason heavily relies on tourism due to its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as its many historical sites like the Hampton Museum and Carnton Plantation House which attract visitors from all over Tennessee and beyond. Additionally, there are several large employers that provide jobs for locals such as Walmart Distribution Center and Suter Industries Incorporated which specialize in manufacturing products for automotive parts companies.
Mason has excellent schools that offer top quality education for students at all levels including elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12). There are also numerous private schools available for those looking for more specialized instruction or religious instruction like St Joseph Catholic School or Macon Academy offering Christian based education from preschool through twelfth grade.
Finally, there are many interesting landmarks around Mason that attract visitors from near and far including historic downtown area filled with Victorian era buildings; Sunset Park which offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains; Carnton Plantation House which served as a hospital during the Battle of Franklin; Hampton Museum which chronicles local history; Cedar Hill Cemetery where many Civil War soldiers were buried; Old Stone Church built in 1839; Great Smoky Mountains National Park located just outside city limits; and more!.
Population: 1,089. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,145 (+5.1% change)
Males: 800 (73.5%), Females: 289 (26.5%)
Tipton County
Zip code: 38049
Demographics
Median resident age: 30.8 years
Median household income: $32,404
Median house value: $76,500
Population by Race
Races in Mason:
- Black (51.5%)
- White Non-Hispanic (38.8%)
- Hispanic (5.2%)
- American Indian (3.4%)
- Two or more races (2.8%)
- Other race (2.1%)
- Other Asian (0.6%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (14.9%), Irish (9.5%), United States (5.4%), Norwegian (3.0%), English (2.2%), French (2.0%).
Elevation: 310 feet
Land area: 1.3 square miles
Population by Education
Mason, Tennessee is a small town located in the southwestern part of the state. It has a population of about 1,000 people, making it one of the smaller towns in the area. The median age of its residents is 36, and there are more women than men living in the town. The median household income is $36,000, which is slightly lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Mason is quite low compared to other places in Tennessee. Housing costs are especially affordable with an average home price of around $140,000. Utilities are also quite reasonable with electric bills averaging around $100 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Taxes are also low; property taxes range from 0.75% to 1% depending on where you live within the town limits. The crime rate is also relatively low compared to other parts of Tennessee; it’s usually considered safe to walk around at night throughout most parts of town. In addition to this, there are several parks and recreational areas that offer activities for all ages and interests including a public pool and skate park.
For population 25 years and over in Mason
- High school or higher: 56.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.3%
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
- Unemployed: 11.9%
- Mean travel time to work: 36.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Mason town
- Never married: 29.0%
- Now married: 43.1%
- Separated: 6.3%
- Widowed: 8.2%
- Divorced: 13.3%
1.9% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +749 (+220.3%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Mason:
- BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TIPTON (about 13 miles; COVINGTON, TN)
- METHODIST HEALTHCARE FAYETTE HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; SOMERVILLE, TN)
- LAKESIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM (about 23 miles; MEMPHIS, TN)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Mason:
- MILLINGTON MUNI (about 23 miles; MILLINGTON, TN; Abbreviation: NQA)
- MEMPHIS INTL (about 40 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Abbreviation: MEM)
- MC KELLAR-SIPES REGIONAL (about 46 miles; JACKSON, TN; Abbreviation: MKL)
Other public-use airports nearest to Mason:
- COVINGTON MUNI (about 13 miles; COVINGTON, TN; Abbreviation: M04)
- FAYETTE COUNTY (about 19 miles; SOMERVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: FYE)
- WOLF RIVER (about 25 miles; ROSSVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: 54M)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Mason:
- SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MACON CAMPUS (about 27 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 6,979)
- UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (about 34 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 15,831)
- SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-UNION CAMPUS (about 34 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 6,979)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER (about 34 miles; MEMPHIS, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,019)
- JACKSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 52 miles; JACKSON, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,534)
- UNION UNIVERSITY (about 55 miles; JACKSON, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,144)
- NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 62 miles; SENATOBIA, MS; Full-time enrollment: 3,842)
Public primary/middle school in Mason:
- NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 137; Location: 5245 HWY 70; Grades: PK – 06)