Once an entirely timber-dependant economy, Mason County is reviving with a population growth driven by retirement and increasingly easy commutes to nearby areas.
The county seat, Shelton, had about half the county's population a few decades ago, but the new fast-growth area is the north end of the county, centered around Belfair and including Allyn and Grapeview.
Hood Canal makes its great bend in Mason County. Hoodsport and Union are the county's main Hood Canal communities.
Highway 101 runs past Shelton and up the west side of Hood Canal.
