City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Mount Vernon, KY

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.

2,259
Residents
$38,639
Median income
$100,500
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Mount Vernon - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Mount Vernon lands in the 7th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
84th
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, KY

Kentucky's Mount Vernon is a small town, with 2,259 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Mount Vernon brings in $38,639 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.0%. Home values in Mount Vernon run a median of $100,500, and the median resident age is 47.9 years. 11.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 44.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Mount Vernon reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 529.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $866 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kentucky's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 36.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,259 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$38,639 /yr

Poverty 19.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Mount Vernon compare to other US cities?

Where Mount Vernon sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Kentucky and the picture shifts: Mount Vernon ranks #62 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Mount Vernon against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Mount Vernon near the bottom of Kentucky's cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Mount Vernon ranks #366 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Mount Vernon only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#386 of 485
20th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#366 of 520
0th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#380 of 484
21st percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#156 of 519
70th percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#359 of 520
30th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

7thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th 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 62 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+)

$100,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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, KY Mount Vernon, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mount Vernon, KY-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, KY median $38,639/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, KY'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, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.8%

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

Population
2,259
Median Income
$38,639
Median Home Value
$100,500
Median Age
47.9
Poverty Rate
19.0%
Labor force participation
44.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
529.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
122.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
407.0
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,440 residents2,450 residents2,460 residents2,470 residents2,480 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,452 residents 2,455 residents ▲ +0.1%
Mount Vernon's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.1%
Carpool
8.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
6.5%
Other
2.2%

Based on 850 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
36.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Dry Ridge
2,250 people
Brooks
2,246 people
Cumberland
2,234 people
Greensburg
2,218 people
Harlan
2,304 people
Lebanon Junction
2,201 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Vernon's 2,259 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eastport, NY
2,259 people
Biscoe, NC
2,259 people
Commerce, OK
2,259 people
Vale, OR
2,259 people
Electra, TX
2,259 people
Plainfield, CT
2,260 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Vernon's $38,639 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

West Pensacola, FL
$38,641 median income
Fort Gaines, GA
$38,636 median income
Petersburg, TX
$38,636 median income
Windsor, NC
$38,631 median income
Ivalee, AL
$38,650 median income
Dellwood, WI
$38,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mount Vernon, KY 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, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.7% White 91.7% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 5.6% 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 Kentucky 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) 2,259 $38,639
Dry Ridge 2,250 $53,641
Brooks 2,246 $70,947
Cumberland 2,234 $35,309
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mount Vernon, KY?

What is the population of Mount Vernon, KY? +

Mount Vernon, KY has a population of 2,259 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Mount Vernon is $38,639 per year, 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 Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Mount Vernon, KY safe? +

Mount Vernon has a total crime rate of 529.1 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, KY? +

Mount Vernon's median home value sits at $100,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.