City · Illinois
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon, city, in Jefferson County, Illinois. Mount Vernon had 14,187 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 14,600 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 14,090 (±361). GEOID 1751180.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,187
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,600 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,090 ±361
Median household income
$55,357
±$4,203 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$99,800
±$10,409 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$910
±$53 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Mount Vernon and what county is it in?
Mount Vernon is a city in Jefferson County, Illinois. It covers 14.7 square miles of land, 996 residents per square mile in 2020.
Mount Vernon is in the Mount Vernon, IL micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Mount Vernon lies mostly within Mount Vernon Township and reaches into Shiloh Township (Jefferson County), Dodds Township and McClellan Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Mount Vernon, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 14,187 people lived in Mount Vernon on July 1, 2025, down 2.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 14,600 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 14,090 (±361).
| Measure | Mount Vernon | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,090 ±361 | 36,550 | −652 |
| Households | 6,108 ±248 | 14,820 | −357 |
| Average household size | 2.22 ±0.08 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,131 ±245 | 16,629 | −437 |
Mount Vernon's population since 2000
From 16,269 in 2000 to 14,187 in 2025: down 12.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Mount Vernon as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mount Vernon?
The median resident of Mount Vernon is 38.9 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 11.0%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mount Vernon | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9 ±1.5 | 41.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% ±1.5 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6% ±1.5 pts | 20.0% | – |
| Male | 50.3% ±1.4 pts | 51.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% ±1.0 pts | 2.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.7% ±1.8 pts | 83.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.0% ±1.7 pts | 5.8% | −4.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | −1.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.8% ±1.7 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5% ±0.9 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7% ±1.0 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2% ±1.5 pts | 7.7% | – |
| With a disability | 19.0% ±2.5 pts | 18.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4% ±1.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1% ±1.2 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.5% ±2.6 pts | 18.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8% ±1.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.4% ±2.9 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6% ±1.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mount Vernon earn?
Half of Mount Vernon's 6,108 households earn less than $55,357 a year (±$4,203), against $63,118 in Jefferson County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,997 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,360 after inflation. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mount Vernon | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,357 ±$4,203 | $63,118 | +$5,360 |
| Mean household income | $71,348 ±$6,425 | $80,324 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,841 ±$2,891 | $33,038 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.3% ±3.0 pts | 13.5% | −4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.1% ±6.1 pts | 18.8% | −17.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.4% ±3.7 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.1% ±2.2 pts | 92.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6% ±3.1 pts | 85.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mount Vernon?
Owners occupy 53.1% of Mount Vernon's occupied homes and renters 46.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $99,800 by its owner (±$10,409). The median renter pays $910 a month including utilities, and 32.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mount Vernon | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $99,800 ±$10,409 | $126,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $910 ±$53 | $885 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.8% ±7.1 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,150 ±$51 | $1,278 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 53.1% ±3.4 pts | 71.7% | −6.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 46.9% ±3.4 pts | 28.3% | – |
| Housing units | 7,131 ±245 | 16,629 | −437 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.9% ±2.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7% ±3.4 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.4% ±3.2 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% ±1.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.0% ±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.5% ±2.9 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.4% ±2.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Mount Vernon building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units in Mount Vernon in 2025 (12 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mount Vernon work and get to work?
80.1% of Mount Vernon's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Mount Vernon | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.7% ±2.8 pts | 59.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% ±1.7 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.1% ±3.6 pts | 82.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.8% ±3.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0% ±1.4 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.0 min ±1.1 | 19.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Mount Vernon?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Mount Vernon, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $35,294 (Tract 510) to $70,066 (Tract 506).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 509Jefferson County | 2,454 | $43,850 |
| Tract 506Jefferson County | 2,957 | $70,066 |
| Tract 507Jefferson County | 3,431 | $66,536 |
| Tract 511Jefferson County | 2,243 | $61,583 |
| Tract 508Jefferson County | 4,444 | $74,434 |
| Tract 510Jefferson County | 1,183 | $35,294 |
| Tract 505Jefferson County | 3,414 | $55,841 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Mount Vernon) · Census block assignment files
How does Mount Vernon compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Mount Vernon is the 2,499th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 173rd-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Mount Vernon ranks 1,196th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 173rd | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 953rd | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 628th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 1,196th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 1,080th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 1,181st | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 729th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 198th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 971st | 1,369 |
| Median age | 954th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,340th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 988th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 1,364th | 1,382 |
Mount Vernon's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Mount Vernon with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Mount Vernon?
7 of the 57 figures for Mount Vernon on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mount Vernon are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Mount Vernon.