The pattern of economic development in Mason County held constant through the post-war period. Since then, things have changed. Of the County traditional industries - logging and lumber remain prominent with the second largest private industry now being aquaculture. Diversification of Mason County industry over the last 30 years in the aerospace industry and rising employment in the food and construction industries. Today in 2000, Mason County is a community with an estimated population of 48,600.
Mason County is one of the fastest growing counties in the State.
Shelton, the County Seat and the only incorporated city in the county, has a population of approximately 7,790. Statistically, the realistic population density for the county, taking the public and private forest lands out of the computation, is approximately 140 per square mile.