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Mount Vernon, IL

Frequently asked questions

Mount Vernon, IL

Mount Vernon is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,600 at the 2020 census. Mount Vernon is the principal city of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Jefferson and Hamilton counties.

According to the 2010 census, Mount Vernon has a total area of 13.151 square miles (34.06 km²), of which 13.07 square miles (33.85 km²) (or 99.38%) is land and 0.081 square miles (0.21 km²) (or 0.62%) is water. The community is about 65 miles (105 km) east of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mt. Vernon is located on high ground between Casey Creek and the Big Muddy River, which joins south of the town in what is now Rend Lake. In pre-settlement times the area around these waterways was a swamp, a heavily forested area that was waist-deep in water during much of the winter and wet summers. Mt. Vernon was thus often surrounded by water and swamp on three sides.

High ground was located to the north of Mt. Vernon. A ridge ran between the Big Muddy River and Casey Creek north toward what is now Dix. There are high places both west and east of Mt. Vernon from which one can see the town as a forested point of high ground jutting out into the bottoms. These high places are: from the west, near the Woodlawn interchange off Interstate 64, and from the east, on Old Fairfield Road near Summersville School, with the highest point located on Old Route 15 right before it merges with New Route 15, near Bluford.

Mt. Vernon was founded in 1817 by Zadok Casey, who was elected to the State Senate in 1822 and was elected lieutenant governor in 1833. He served in the U.S. Congress between 1833 and 1843. The town was named for George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon, which was named for Edward Vernon, a British naval hero.

When the town was founded, there was no road to it. Travelers had to get there by either following the high ground from the north or crossing the swamps from the south. In the early 19th century the Goshen Road crossed Illinois in a northwesterly direction from Old Shawneetown, Illinois to the Goshen Settlement, near what is now Edwardsville. This road was the main road in Illinois. When Mt. Vernon was first settled, the Goshen Road made a wide arc across Jefferson County, crossing Casey Creek and the Big Muddy north of Mt. Vernon, avoiding the swamps to the south, but bypassing Mt. Vernon. The road entered the county at its southeast corner. It passed through, or near, what are now Opdyke, East Salem, Idlewood, Dix and Walnut Hill. However, it was apparent to the early settlers that the town would fail without roads. In 1820–1821, Ben Hood and Carter Wilkey built a bridge over Casey Creek, to the southeast of town. This bridge was near the present bridge on Illinois Route 142. A road was built from there northwest, over ground that is now impassable, toward the old cemetery behind the modern Bethel Cemetery. Deep cuts through the old cemetery attest to the location of the road. From there the road probably followed modern Route 37 into town, somewhere shifting from 10th Street west to 12th Street.

The healthcare sector plays a crucial role in Mount Vernon's commitment to the health and wellness of its residents. The Mt. Vernon Health Care Center serves as a cornerstone of healthcare services, providing a range of medical facilities to meet the diverse needs of the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, King City Strength & Performance, and The Zone. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Mount Vernon, such as the Devil's Prop and Mt. Vernon Memorial Veteran Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Mount Vernon, IL are Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park, and Jefferson County Historical Village.

Population: 14,247 (2023). ZIP code: 62864. Area code: 618. Elevation: 518 ft (158 m). Area: 14.66 sq mi (37.97 km²).

FAQs

What is famous about Mount Vernon, IL?

Founded in 1819, it was initially to be named Mount Pleasant but, after intense debate, was named instead for George Washington’s home (see Mount Vernon) in Virginia. The Illinois Supreme Court was located in Mount Vernon (1856–96), and Abraham Lincoln argued and won a tax case there in 1859. A railway link (1872) spurred industrial development, with the establishment of mills, foundries, and breweries. 

What is the race population in Mount Vernon, IL?

Mount Vernon, IL is home to a population of 14.7k people, of which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.08% of Mount Vernon, IL residents were born outside of the country (307 people). In 2022, there were 6.02 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.2k people) in Mount Vernon, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.85k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 864 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Is Mount Vernon, IL a good place to live?

Mount Vernon is in Jefferson County. Living in Mount Vernon offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families and retirees live in Mount Vernon and residents tend to lean conservative.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Mount Vernon

Mt. Vernon Health Care Center 

Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness

King City Strength & Performance 

The Zone

Devil's Prop 

Mt. Vernon Memorial Veteran Park

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts

Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park

Jefferson County Historical Village

Britannica

Data USA

Niche

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