City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Mount Vernon, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Mount Vernon - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

14,492
Residents
$52,751
Median income
$89,700
Median home
$1,026
Median rent (state)

Mount Vernon - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Mount Vernon places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 51st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
51st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Mount Vernon, IL

14,492 people live in Mount Vernon, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Mount Vernon brings in $52,751 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.5%. Mount Vernon's housing stock carries a median value of $89,700, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. About 19.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 6 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 80% from five years earlier. Mount Vernon reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1336.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Illinois scores 100.0 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,026 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Workers in Mount Vernon report an average commute of 13.3 minutes, with 79.5% driving alone and 3.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

14,492 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$52,751 /yr

Poverty 15.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Mount Vernon compare to other US cities?

Mount Vernon measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities
Safety 51% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Mount Vernon ranks #294 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Mount Vernon's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

24thIncome percentile
51stSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 51st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Mount Vernon's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Mount Vernon's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 54 Avg. percentile National median
Mount Vernon's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Mount Vernon's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$89,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Mount Vernon $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Mount Vernon, IL Mount Vernon, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mount Vernon, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Mount Vernon, IL median $52,751/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Mount Vernon, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Mount Vernon, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
14,492
Median Income
$52,751
Median Home Value
$89,700
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor force participation
56.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1336.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
247.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1088.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,000 residents14,200 residents14,400 residents14,600 residents14,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,566 residents 14,187 residents ▼ -2.6%
Mount Vernon's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 30
2020 3
2021 8
2022 5
2023 4
2024 6

Permit volume decreased 80% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.3 minutes
Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
13.4%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
3.3%
Other
1.9%

Based on 6,336 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Mount Vernon sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,026/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Swansea
14,603 people
Lindenhurst
14,365 people
Sterling
14,670 people
Hickory Hills
14,718 people
Chatham
14,740 people
Antioch
14,751 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Vernon's 14,492 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bothell East, WA
14,487 people
Verona, WI
14,499 people
Jasper, AL
14,480 people
Brainerd, MN
14,474 people
Hopatcong, NJ
14,470 people
Oneonta, NY
14,467 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Vernon's $52,751 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Center Ridge, AR
$52,750 median income
Bruceville, IN
$52,750 median income
Madison, KS
$52,750 median income
Sudlersville, MD
$52,750 median income
Beauregard, MS
$52,750 median income
Naples, NY
$52,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mount Vernon, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Mount Vernon, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.4% 12.7% 8.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.6% White 76.4% Black or African American 12.7% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 8.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Mount Vernon compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Mount Vernon (this city) 14,492 $52,751
Swansea 14,603 $84,367
Lindenhurst 14,365 $127,837
Sterling 14,670 $52,647
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mount Vernon, IL?

What is the population of Mount Vernon, IL? +

Mount Vernon, IL counts 14,492 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Mount Vernon, IL? +

Median annual household income in Mount Vernon runs $52,751, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mount Vernon? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Mount Vernon; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Mount Vernon, IL safe? +

Mount Vernon has a total crime rate of 1336.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Mount Vernon, IL? +

Homes in Mount Vernon carry a median value of $89,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.