Mount Vernon city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Mount Vernon city, Illinois has a total population of 14,492, the 170th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,751, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Mount Vernon city Quick Facts
How Mount Vernon city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mount Vernon city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Mount Vernon city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling city | 14,670 | $52,647 | $107,800 | 18.5% | 16.4% |
| Lincoln city | 13,406 | $54,390 | $111,600 | 18.2% | 18.1% |
| Dixon city | 15,166 | $58,371 | $113,300 | 17.2% | 17.9% |
| Canton city | 13,408 | $54,881 | $106,900 | 16.7% | 14.0% |
| Bradley village | 15,331 | $62,940 | $164,400 | 17.8% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Mount Vernon city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 14,492. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Vernon city is 39.0 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Vernon city is $52,751. This is 35% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $89,700. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Mount Vernon city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Vernon city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
19.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Vernon city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mount Vernon city, Illinois?
Mount Vernon city, Illinois has a population of 14,492 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Vernon city, IL?
The median household income in Mount Vernon city is $52,751, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Vernon city, IL?
The poverty rate in Mount Vernon city is 18.7%. This means approximately 2,604 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Vernon city, Illinois?
Mount Vernon city's population is 75.4% White, 11.8% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Vernon city, IL?
The median home value in Mount Vernon city is $89,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Mount Vernon city, Illinois?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Mount Vernon city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.