Mount Vernon offers quiet, remote living in scenic central Maine
Incorporated in 1792, Mount Vernon is a small, secluded town in the central Maine countryside surrounded by various outdoor destinations and natural attractions. While the lakes in this area draw vacationers and seasonal crowds, the population of full-time residents here is just over 1,700, according to the 2020 U.S. census report. “Mount Vernon is located in the middle of the Belgrade lakes Region and has a more rural feel to it,” says John Blouin , a Kennebec County resident and local Realtor with LAER Realty Partners. “It’s a professional town with locals running things like a town office, economic development committee and treasury.” The nearest urban hub, Augusta, is 22 miles away. Mount Vernon has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4 and the lowest score possible on the index.
Spacious homes sell fast in the Belgrade Lakes Region
Mount Vernon’s residential options comprise a mix of custom single-family builds and manufactured homes. While many houses are occupied by full-time residents, others are vacation homes that are only lived in seasonally or on weekends. Properties are spacious and spread across the town’s rural landscape; the median lot size here is approximately one acre. Manufactured homes typically cost between $60,000 and $270,000, while turnkey ranch styles, farmhouses and Craftsman-style cottages range from approximately $180,000 to $580,000. Waterfront properties with private lake access can sell for up to nearly $1.4 million. Potential buyers in Mount Vernon do need to be prepared to act quickly, however. Homes only spend an average of 17 days listed on the market before being sold, about a third of the national average.
Maranacook Community Schools serve Mount Vernon students
Mount Vernon is zoned for Regional School Unit No. 38 and receives an overall B rating from Niche. Prekindergarten through fifth-grade students can attend Mount Vernon Elementary, rated B-minus. Grades six through eight can head to the B-rated Maranacook Community Middle School, while Maranacook Community High School receives a B-minus rating. The high school offers a range of advanced academics and skill learning programs through the Capitol Area Technical Center, including pathways for culinary arts, law enforcement, computer technology and health occupations.
Lakes, trails and a zoo draw visitors to Mount Vernon year-round
Visitors and residents alike flock to Mount Vernon for access to the town’s lakes, including Parker Pond, Echo Lake and Long Pond. “The lakes are all great for boating, fishing, kayaking and ice-fishing in the winter,” Blouin says. Mount Vernon’s waterfronts also have numerous hiking trails and campground sites. Towards the southern end of Packer Pond is Dew Haven Maine Zoo and Rescue, a nonprofit zoo with more than 150 animal species, including lions, monkeys and bears. “Mount Vernon is also close to the Kennebec Highlands, which is about 6,400 acres and has some pretty serious hiking and biking,” Blouin says. As winter snow falls, many local trail systems transform into cross-country skiing corridors.
Groceries and errands are mostly done outside of town
Mount Vernon’s town center has a few non-residential establishments, including the Dr. Shaw Memorial Library and Mount Vernon Community Center. The only restaurant in town is Scapes Café, which serves homemade baked goods and farm-to-table dishes in a rustic-themed interior. Blouin says that residents can go grocery shopping and run other weekly errands in nearby towns like Winthrop, Belgrade and Farmington, all within a 15-mile radius of Mount Vernon. Residents can also drive half an hour to Augusta for larger shopping centers like Turnpike Mall and Augusta Crossing, where they can shop at big-box stores and national retailers.
Driving through Kennebec County on Route 41
Mount Vernon is a completely car-dependent community without access to public transit amenities. This rural area is mostly connected by a handful of single-lane country routes and unpaved roads. The only numbered highway here is Maine State Route 41, which takes commuters north to Farmington, 16 miles away, and south to Winthrop, roughly 14 miles from town. Maine State Route 27 is a busier thoroughfare less than 7 miles east of Mount Vernon center. Portland International Jetport is 71 miles away and is the closest major airport. MaineHealth Franklin Hospital outside Farmington is 17 miles from Mount Vernon and operates a 24-hour emergency department.
