Mount Vernon residents cite strong community spirit as one of the top perks of living there. It's an atmosphere where people know their neighbors and see them often at city-wide events, like the annual Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival, where local artisans sell their work and bands perform. "In Mount Vernon, we don't need much of an excuse to shut down the streets and have a party," says Matt Starr, mayor of Mount Vernon.
The city's population of around 16,500 people has been steadily growing for the past two decades. "We've got good schools, good parks and good internet, so a lot of people discovered Mount Vernon during the pandemic," says Realtor Dave Culbertson, who sells homes with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
Knox Community Hospital, Kenyon College and the Ariel Corporation, a gas compressor manufacturer, are among the area's top employers. Intel is investing $20 billion in two microchip factories in nearby Licking County.
Mount Vernon serves as the county seat of Knox County and features a blend of historic and modern development.
In Mount Vernon, Knox Community Hospital functions as a key healthcare provider for the community.
Mount Vernon is located near Kenyon College, an institution known for its commitment to liberal arts education.
The workforce at Arial Corporation contributes technical expertise and innovation to the local economy in Mount Vernon.
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Early 20th-century housing
The median single-family home price is $240,000, which aligns with the rest of Ohio and is below the national median of about $400,000. Early 20th-century wood-frame homes surrounding downtown are priced from $120,000 to $400,000. Mid-century ranch styles and older wood-frame houses in South Mount Vernon are priced from $120,000 to $270,000. Further south, some early-2000s New Traditional styles are priced from $650,000 to $850,000. Homebuyers should note that Knox County's property tax rate is above the national average but in line with Columbus' tax rate.
South Mount Vernon features early 20th-century wood-frame homes with traditional architectural details.
Ranch-style homes from the mid-20th century are found throughout Mount Vernon, reflecting the era’s design trends.
In Mount Vernon, the mix of traditional and contemporary housing options reflects the evolving character of the community.
Traditional farmhouse architecture remains a staple in Mount Vernon, with both historic and modern designs.
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Fine dining and big-box retail
The Downtown Mount Vernon Historic District is made up of late 19th-century buildings packed with entertainment, fine dining establishments and shops.
Several franchise restaurants are located south of the river, along Newark Road. There are more fast-food joints and several big-box retailers in the city's northeast corner, along Coshocton Road.
In Mount Vernon, the Historic Downtown district serves as a record of the city’s long-standing history.
Mount Vernon's 'The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge' delights diners with a fusion of flavor and a welcoming ambiance.
Mount Vernon's Shopping Plaza is a local commercial center featuring a variety of retail outlets.
Big box stores like Lowe's Home Improvement, located in Mount Vernon, offer a wide selection of hardware and home improvement supplies for local residents.
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Public schools and private colleges
The Mount Vernon City School District has a C-plus Niche rating and a 68% graduation rate. The district's reading and math proficiencies are below the national average. The district spends about $30,200 per student, compared to the national average of $12,200.
Mount Vernon Church of the Nazarene is a private Christian University located n the city. Kenyon College in neighboring Gambier is a private liberal arts school. Both schools have about 1,900 undergraduate students.
Mount Vernon Middle School offers educational programs designed to support students in their transition to high school.
As part of the Mount Vernon City School District, Mount Vernon High School supports student learning and development.
Mount Vernon is associated with Mount Vernon Nazarene University, an institution that offers various undergraduate programs.
Kenyon College’s Middle Path is a well-known walkway where students pass through campus daily in Mount Vernon’s neighboring town of Gambier.
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Parks along the Kokosing River
Several city greenspaces are within walking distance of residents, but most parks are concentrated along the river. "We have a tremendous park system for such a small city," Culbertson says. The 250-acre Ariel-Foundation Park is just southwest of downtown. Built from the ruins of one of the world's largest glass factories, miles of trails wind along terraformed hills, passing the crumbled factory walls where blue chunks of glass are piled high. Visitors can overlook the city from the Rastin Observation Tower, a 280-foot smokestack. There is also a network of lakes that fill up from the river. On summer days, folks cool down at Hiawatha Water Park. The city is also connected to a rail path that runs from Cleveland to Cincinnati.
The average temperature in the winter reaches 15 degrees, and the average yearly snowfall is 11 inches.
Once an industrial site, Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon now serves as a space for community events and recreation.
Mount Vernon features the National Rail Walking Trail, a path that follows part of the historic railway route.
Rastin Observation Tower in Mount Vernon provides panoramic views of Ariel-Foundation Park and the city.
Mount Vernon residents have access to the Kokosing Gap Trail, a path used for walking, running, and biking.
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Year-round community events
Knox County Fairgrounds hosts an annual fair with tractor pulls, petting zoos and rides lit by thousands of colorful bulbs. Most other events are held downtown. The annual Christmas parade features colorful floats sponsored by local businesses. In the spring and fall, the downtown farmers market is held in the town square.
The downtown's Woodward Opera House building, constructed in the 1850s, hosts touring musical acts and plays.
The Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon is recognized as the oldest authentic 19th-century opera house in the U.S.
The Knox County Fair, held near Mount Vernon, is an annual event that highlights regional agricultural and cultural traditions.
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Traveling to Columbus
The city does not have a public bus system. Columbus, the nearest major city, is 52 miles southwest of Mount Vernon via Ohio State Route 229 and Interstate 71. People take flights from John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
Crime rates below the state and national average.
According to FBI data, Mount Vernon's violent crime rose in 2023, while at the same time, property crimes decreased.
I Serve 14 Counties in Central & North Central Ohio Bio – Dave Culbertson, Broker / Grandpa If you're considering whether to hire me to assist you in selling or buying real estate, I think it's important to know a little about the person you might be hiring. After all, I’m applying for a job to work FOR YOU…You’d be my boss, but it would be a collaborative relationship. - Age 69 (I prefer to call it “forty-twenty-nine”. ) Happily married (43 years) father of six….and grandfather of twelve). - Lifetime area resident, involved in the community. - Full-Time Realtor since 1996 and earned my broker license in 2006. - #10 in Sales in 2022 of All Howard Hanna Individual Agents in Central & Southern Ohio Regions. - Ranked #107 in the entire state of Ohio for individual realtors in 2022 (out of 36,000+ realtors in Ohio) - Founded Real Living Home Team in November, 2006. Transitioned to Howard Hanna in 2022. - Former Knox County Board MLS Committee, Knox County Board of Realtors Board of Directors, Exec. Board - Market heavily in 4 MLS’s: Knox County, Richland County, NORMLS, & Columbus MLS’s. (Only one I know of in all four, reaching 16,500+ Realtors from Dayton to Cleveland). - Only Real Living Broker in Ohio chosen to the prestigious Ambassadors Circle (one broker from each state) - Continually keeping up on technology, rules and laws, marketing ideas through continuing education and networking with successful Realtors nationwide. - Participating in an elite realtors Real Estate & Life Coaching Program through Kevin Ward, to better my life, my health and to better serve my clients. It’s intense, purposeful and makes be a better person, realtor, broker and coach. I believe we must always learn and grow…or we die. - 2003 Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI); Commercial Specialist Designation ‘05 - 2009 ABR Designation – Accredited Buyer Representative - 46 Total years experience in sales & marketing & extensive internet experience. - Million Dollar seller year after year. - Inducted in Re/MAX Hall of Fame February 2007, prior to founding Real Living Home Team. Now, thrilled to be with Howard Hanna. - Selected by Dave Ramsey, (Nationally Syndicated Finance Host), as his “Endorsed Local Provider” for the area - Selected by Glenn Beck as his “Realtors I Trust” for Knox and surrounding counties. - Founder & Chairman of the Board of Arms of an Angel Foundation, 2009, in honor of our son, Carl, who passed Feb. 15, 2009, of an accidental heroin overdose. Foundation is for education & awareness to parents & youth on drugs, especially in Small Town America. I freely and regularly speak on this important topic and am available to speak nationwide. Have spoken to 20,000+ young people so far and dozens and dozens Rotaries, Kiwanis, PTO’s, and congregatons, etc. Was a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Council on Prescription Drug Abuse, under Governor Kasich and Attorney General Mike Dewine. Also on 5 County Regional Drug Task Force. - In 2017 & 2018, our foundation raised $81,000 for Mount Vernon Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Departments to get their first four K-9 units…A passion of ours. Still collecting for more communities and causes. - Honored as Ohio Association of Realtors’s 2015 ‘Community Service Award. In a nutshell, I love what I do. I take each client's journey personal and will coach you on your way to your goals...
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
