MASON CITY – The exodus from this North Iowa community is showing no signs of slowing down.
The latest census estimates from the US government paint a grim picture for Mason City, showing a drop in population of 375 since the 2010 census. The population of Mason City was 28,079 in 2010. In 2011, the population was estimated at 27,966; in 2012 the estimate was 27,794 and in 2013 the estimate is now 27,704. At this rate (-125 per year), Mason City will be down 1,250 residents by the 2020 census.
One of the major goals of city hall over the past 4-plus years has been to reverse this trend and attempt to grow the population. Over this time, glowing speeches and lip-service have been paid to so-called accomplishments from city leaders, leading some to believe that the city was on the rebound and turning around. However, these latest numbers indicate that the words coming out of the mouths of Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and the city council are hollow, and they are failing in a alarming way.
Residents are fleeing Mason City, and there seems to be no end in sight.
One resident told NIT that “there’s no good jobs. Who can live on $9.50 or less an hour? That’s what most of the jobs pay. Who can support a family that way? It’s no wonder people are leaving.”
Many say they are looking for greener pastures in more progressive areas.
“We love it here,” said a former Mason City resident, who moved his family to the Des Moines area 2 years ago. “It’s night and day. Our whole family is happier. There’s so much more opportunity. It’s not perfect, but it beats what we had going up north.”
Some current residents who are looking to leave say there are too few amenities in Mason City, jobs pay too low, crime is high, taxes and costs are skyrocketing and the overall attitude of residents stinks.
“The town is divided,” one man said. “There’s two classes of folks. If you’re not in the upper, you are frowned upon, treated as second class. It’s pretty ridiculous. Plus, they raised my taxes big time. We’re out as soon as we can afford a moving van.”
Easy to complain, but how about some solutions?
http://m.kcci.com/news/is-your-town-on-this-top-10-list/26208114
Mason City #3 on the loser list! Thank you Eric Bookmeyer for sinking us fast!
If you are still in MC, why? Anywhere is better than there. Just got our property tax bill this week, $275 and odd cents! Yes, that’s for a year.
Folks voting with their feet?
Not bad really. It’s democracy in action.
So how many LESS government employees do we have, Dont need as many city workers, dont need as many teachers, dont need as many street employees? Dont need as mant TAX DOLLARS! Start cutting back. The figures call for it. Have the guts and leadership to do it!!!!
@sad-they might as well cut city employees. They have not run a street sweeper in our neighborhood all year. They run them in the mayors neighborhood but not here. I paid a guy to clean the curbs so the water would drain away or else my drive would be flooded. Why pay taxes if they are not going to maintain the city. There are so many empty houses here it is hard to believe. Even the slum apartments are empty and boarded up.
Will the last ones out please shut off the lights?
Doubt it. The city would probably keep paying for southbridge’s parking lot lights after the last shop closes.
Hee hee…LOL
Just curious how this compares to other cities our size in Iowa. I think it’s a trend for most cities this size.
I’m curious how Mason City ranks with other cities it’s size for crime.
It rates 8 out of 100 (100 being the safest) and a crime rate higher then the national average.
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ia/mason-city/crime/
Low paying jobs, horrible weather and no amenities = mass exodus.
I would have guessed it dropped a lot more than that. Sorry, I do not believe that number. There are empty houses and apartments all over town.
Good point. Many days, especially after 5-6 PM, this is a ghost town. It’s like everyone left town.
They came from the other side
In bunches at a time
Crowding up the neighborhood
To raise the rates of crime
Some of them got money
Most of them got ****
All they do is come here
To take from our pockets
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Don’t you ****ing see
That you bother me
Genocide
You can’t hide
So go home now
Don’t come back
Take your goat
Get on your boat
I hate…
I hate imports
I don’t want to hear their ****
I hate imports
Cause I’m just so sick of it
I just want to
Live my life without you ****ing ****oles
And I want to
Never see your *** again
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Import, import, imported society
Hindus and Ethiopians
You know they’re all the same
A huck a buck of Indians
They’re all so ****ing lame
Bring More Chicago