Where is Mason City, Iowa, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Mason City Located? - Mason City is a city located in the Cerro Gordo County of Iowa, United States. Mason City lies between 30.2266 Degrees North latitudes and 93.2174 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Mason City, Iowa

Where is Mason City, Iowa

Mason City Map, Iowa, USA

Where is Mason City?: The Google Map showing the location of Mason City in the U.S. state of Iowa.

Where is Mason City Located?

Mason City is a city located in the Cerro Gordo County of Iowa, United States. Mason City lies between 30.2266 Degrees North latitudes and 93.2174 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Mason City city is 27338 people and the city has a total area of 27.79 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Mason City, Iowa Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityMason City
CountyCerro Gordo County
StateIowa
State CapitalDes Moines
US RegionMidwestern United States (West North Central Region)
Latitude43.1536° N
Longitude93.2010° W
Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)
Land Area27.84 sq mi
Water Area0.59 sq mi
Total Area28.43 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)27,338
Population Density982 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)50401
Area Code(s)641
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code19-50115
Congressional DistrictIowa's 2nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Mason City

CategoryDetails
Airport NameMason City Municipal Airport
IATA CodeMCW
Major Commercial AirportDes Moines International Airport
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 18, U.S. Route 65, U.S. Route 218, Iowa Highway 122
Train ServiceFreight rail service available
Local Transit ServiceMason City Transit System
  • Mason City is located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, and serves as the county seat.
  • The city is located in northern Iowa along the Winnebago River.
  • Mason City is known for its Prairie School architecture, music heritage, cultural attractions, and manufacturing history.
  • The community developed as an agricultural, industrial, and commercial center in north-central Iowa.

Top Places to Visit in Mason City, Iowa

Landmark NameType
Stockman House MuseumHistoric House
Music Man SquareCultural Attraction
Meredith Willson Boyhood HomeHistoric Home
MacNider Art MuseumArt Museum
Kinney Pioneer MuseumHistory Museum
East ParkCommunity Park
Wright on the ParkHistoric Architecture Site
Clear Lake (nearby)Recreation Lake
Central Gardens of North Iowa (nearby)Botanical Garden
Winnebago RiverRiver Recreation Area

Driving Distances from Mason City, Iowa to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Clear LakeIowa1015 minutes
Albert LeaMinnesota3540 minutes
WaterlooIowa801 hour 20 minutes
RochesterMinnesota851 hour 30 minutes
Des MoinesIowa1202 hours
Cedar RapidsIowa1202 hours
MinneapolisMinnesota1202 hours
DubuqueIowa1602 hours 45 minutes
OmahaNebraska2203 hours 30 minutes
ChicagoIllinois3305 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Mason City, Iowa

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
North Iowa Area Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer training, agriculture, technology, business, and transfer programs
Waldorf UniversityPrivateUniversityLiberal arts, business, education, and athletics
Iowa State UniversityPublicResearch UniversityEngineering, agriculture, sciences, business, and research
University of Northern IowaPublicUniversityEducation, business, arts, and sciences
Upper Iowa UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, education, liberal arts, and online programs

Waterbodies Near Mason City, Iowa

Mason City is located in Cerro Gordo County along the Winnebago River in northern Iowa. Major nearby water resources include the Winnebago River, Clear Lake, Lime Creek, and local ponds and wetlands. These waterways provide opportunities for fishing, boating, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in Mason City

Mason City features sports and recreation facilities including Mason City Arena, Mohawk Stadium, East Park sports facilities, Highland Park Golf Course, and local athletic complexes. The city supports baseball, hockey, golf, swimming, and community sports programs.

Mason City, Iowa — Key Historical Facts

  • Mason City was founded in the mid-nineteenth century and named after Mason Long, an early settler.
  • The city became the county seat of Cerro Gordo County and developed as a regional trade center.
  • Mason City grew through agriculture, manufacturing, limestone production, and railroad connections.
  • The city is known as the birthplace of Meredith Willson, composer of the musical "The Music Man."
  • Mason City contains important examples of Prairie School architecture, including buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
  • The community became an important center for construction materials and industrial development in northern Iowa.
  • Today, Mason City is recognized for its architecture, cultural attractions, healthcare services, education, and role as a regional hub.

References

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