Mount Vernon, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Vernon, Illinois had a total population of 14,090, the 175th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,357, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Mount Vernon Quick Facts
How Mount Vernon Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,492 | 14,090 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $52,751 | $55,357 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $89,700 | $99,800 | +11.3% |
How Mount Vernon Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mount Vernon Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ina | 1,560 | $54,000 | 19.7% | $104,200 |
| Woodlawn | 632 | $72,500 | 10.2% | $132,700 |
| Dix | 568 | $46,339 | 10.7% | $100,000 |
| Bluford | 483 | $51,583 | 13.9% | $94,500 |
| Bonnie | 461 | $60,536 | 12.2% | $73,200 |
| Belle Rive | 382 | $53,281 | 8.4% | $94,600 |
| Waltonville | 294 | $63,750 | 15.0% | $111,400 |
| Opdyke | 246 | $63,750 | 2.5% | $67,800 |
| Nason | 203 | $50,052 | 29.7% | $73,600 |
Cities Similar to Mount Vernon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | $108,700 | 21.1% | 15.3% |
| Lincoln | 13,281 | $57,340 | $124,300 | 20.3% | 17.0% |
| Canton | 13,144 | $53,254 | $107,100 | 16.3% | 15.2% |
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | $120,800 | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Chicago Ridge | 14,099 | $68,964 | $226,900 | 28.6% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Mount Vernon is a small city located in Illinois, within Jefferson County. The total population is 14,090. It ranks as the 175th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Vernon is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Vernon is $55,357. This is 34% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $99,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Mount Vernon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Vernon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Vernon, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mount Vernon, Illinois?
Mount Vernon, Illinois has a population of 14,090 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Vernon, IL?
The median household income in Mount Vernon is $55,357, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Vernon, IL?
The poverty rate in Mount Vernon is 17.3%. This means approximately 2,340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Vernon, Illinois?
Mount Vernon's population is 75.7% White, 11.0% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Vernon, IL?
The median home value in Mount Vernon is $99,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Mount Vernon, Illinois?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Mount Vernon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.