By Kevin Aldridge
Enquirer staff writer

MASON - This Warren County city - which was a village of fewer than 5,000 as recently as the early 1970s - has rapidly become the community of choice for Greater Cincinnatians moving away from Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Mason's population leaped from 22,060 in 2000 to 27,308 in 2003, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. That was a 23.8 percent increase in less than five years, making it Greater Cincinnati's second-fastest growing entity, behind nearby Hamilton Township.

Assistant City Manager Eric Hansen said the figures weren't surprising, considering Mason has experienced residential growth for nearly a decade.

"We're a nice community with great schools and great services," Hansen said. "It still maintains a small-town atmosphere and we have some high-quality developments."

Between 2000 and 2003, Mason issued 2,147 housing permits.

Businesses such as LuxotticaRetail, the corporate offices of the LensCrafters chain, are also choosing Mason. The city has issued permits for 59 commercial projects since 2000, and increased its earnings tax revenues from $12 million to $15.2 million last year.

The increased earnings tax has enabled the city to spend dollars on amenities such as parks and a multi-million dollar recreation center.

Some new residents are drawn to Mason by the availability of half-acre lots with spacious two-story homes. But housing can be tough to find for less than $200,000.

Top-quality schools are a strong attraction as well. The district and its schools score high in proficiency tests.

"We had children and we wanted to raise them in a better neighborhood," said Melanie Beck, who moved from Golf Manor to Mason. "Plus you get a lot more house for your money."

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E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com