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Mount Vernon, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 32.7% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Vernon, Kentucky had a total population of 2,398, the 150th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $38,697, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Mount Vernon Quick Facts

Population 2,398
Median Household Income $38,697
Median Home Value $111,400
Poverty Rate 32.7%
Unemployment Rate 3.5%
Median Age 48.2 years
Homeownership Rate 50.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.0%
High School Graduation Rate 77.6%
Diversity Index 16/100
Population 2,398 150th of 552
Median Income $38,697 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 32.7% 163% higher than national
Median Home Value $111,400 bottom 30%

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.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population2,2592,398+6.2%
Median household income$38,639$38,697+0.2%
Median home value$100,500$111,400+10.8%

How Mount Vernon Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 39.4%
$25K-$50K 19.2%
$50K-$100K 26.8%
$100K+ 14.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
12.6%
$10K-$15K
15.9%
$15K-$20K
6.6%
$20K-$25K
4.3%
$25K-$30K
5.0%
$30K-$35K
2.7%
$35K-$40K
5.3%
$40K-$45K
5.5%
$45K-$50K
0.7%
$50K-$60K
5.8%
$60K-$75K
9.4%
$75K-$100K
11.6%
$100K-$125K
9.1%
$125K-$150K
3.2%
$150K-$200K
1.4%
$200K+
0.8%

Employment

3.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9%|National: 5.2%
41.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 50.4%
Renter 49.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $620/mo 19.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

16out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 33 | National average: 61

Education

Mount Vernon Rankings in Kentucky

#150 Population of 552
#403 Median Income of 496
#370 Education of 550
#368 Home Value of 495

Other Cities in Rockcastle County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Brodhead 1,423 $35,333 29.1% $150,200
Livingston 187 $38,393 32.1% $72,000

Cities Similar to Mount Vernon

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Fulton2,378$36,040$56,30014.7%30.9%
Morgantown2,479$37,604$114,0005.3%37.3%
Falmouth2,449$34,756$100,8008.7%27.8%
Tompkinsville2,613$38,628$99,00010.9%27.3%
Louisa2,580$40,000$120,50023.0%22.3%

Population Overview

Mount Vernon is a small community located in Kentucky, within Rockcastle County. The total population is 2,398. It ranks as the 150th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mount Vernon is 48.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mount Vernon is $38,697. This is 39% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.7%. This is 104% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $111,400. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Mount Vernon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Mount Vernon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.

Education

12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mount Vernon, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. 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, Kentucky?

Mount Vernon, Kentucky has a population of 2,398 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Mount Vernon is $38,697, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Mount Vernon, KY?

The poverty rate in Mount Vernon is 32.7%. This means approximately 720 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Mount Vernon, Kentucky?

Mount Vernon's population is 91.5% White, 0.4% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Mount Vernon, KY?

The median home value in Mount Vernon is $111,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Mount Vernon, Kentucky?

12.0% of adults (25+) in Mount Vernon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.