$608,093Average Value$334Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
The largest city in Skagit County
In northwest Washington’s Skagit River Valley, Mount Vernon sits overlooking a riverbend. This city of about 35,000 is known for the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and year-round outdoor recreation around the river, lakes and hills. Whether residents are attracted to the city’s health care industry or the state’s lack of a personal income tax, “Mount Vernon has a little bit of everything, much like other the cities along [Interstate] 5,” says Katharine Carey, Agent at eXp Realty with over 18 years of experience. “The population is increasing due to cost of living. It’s a little less expensive than, say, Bellingham, with just a half-hour commute to the big city.”
For family fun, Lakewood residents head to Roozengaarden Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon overlooks the beautiful Skagit River.
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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and other annual events
Every April, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a month-long celebration of the brightly colored flowers grown in the valley. Tulip growers invite guests to stroll through vast fields, which stripe the land with red, orange and yellow hues. The festival includes various events in the area, like the Tulip Festival Street Fair, which brings food trucks, local vendors and live entertainment downtown. Shoppers can also browse locally-made goods at Skagit Valley Farmers Market, which runs from May through October. Every July, Skagit County Fairgrounds hosts the Skagit Valley Highland Games, a weekend festival of Celtic music and dance that draws thousands to Mount Vernon. For year-round entertainment, the Historic Lincoln Theatre, built in 1926, hosts live performances and movies. Volunteer musicians playing the rare Wurlitzer theatre organ signal that the movie is about to begin.
Arlington Heights residents head to the Tulip Festival Street Fair in Mount Vernon.
Lakewood residents head to Roozengaarden Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon every year.
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Recreation at Little Mountain Park and along the Skagit River
Dog-friendly Little Mountain Park has 10 miles of winding trails. Hikers and bikers can venture up to the overlook to see evergreen treetops and the valley below peeking through low-lying clouds. Alternatively, the paved Skagit Riverwalk offers a flatter, easier stroll. Part of Mount Vernon expands across the river, including Edgewater Park, which has a boat launch, baseball fields and over 50 acres of riverfront green space. “There are great features going east, like Lake Cavanaugh, and Big Lake is pretty awesome. It depends on what people want to choose as their adventure,” Carey says. “Mount Vernon is sandwiched between farming communities. Heading west, you can go to Bow or La Conner for the day.”
Take your dog for a walk on the pet-friendly trails of Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon.
Enjoy a relaxing walk with a friend at Skagit Riverwalk in Mount Vernon.
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Single-family homes range in age
The median single-family price in Mount Vernon is $575,000, which is higher than the national median. A typical home here is New Traditional or ranch-style. Homes are a mix of ages: construction spans from 1900 to 2000, though some are newer. The Eaglemont neighborhood on the eastern side of the city contains sprawling million-dollar homes, while some smaller homes closer to downtown sell for as low as $250,000. Residents’ kids and teens may attend Mount Vernon School District, rated C-plus on Niche.
Sprawling million-dollar homes can be found in Eaglemont neighborhood of Mount Vernon.
Find your slice of heaven in a Mount Vernon ranch-style home.
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Commuting via the Interstate, train or bus
Interstate 5 runs through Mount Vernon, extending north to Bellingham and south to Everett. Electric vehicle owners can charge up at Mount Vernon Library Commons, home of the biggest electric vehicle charging station in the U.S. At Skagit Station, locals can hop on the Amtrak train, Greyhound bus or the Skagit Transit bus line, which has a commuter route to Everett. Skagit Valley Hospital is located within the city, and Bellingham International Airport is 25 miles north. Regarding cyberinfrastructure, Mount Vernon has city-wide fiber optic Internet access.
Local shopping and dining in downtown Mount Vernon
The pedestrian-friendly streets of downtown Mount Vernon are lined with trees, wide sidewalks and street parking. Flowerpots hang from streetlamps and the storefronts of local restaurants and boutiques. The Mount Vernon Downtown District Master Plan includes plans for more mixed-use redevelopment. Nationally recognized shopping and dining chains are located north of downtown along Interstate 5.
For home decor and more, head to Perry + Carlson in Mount Vernon.
Grab a pint and split a pizza with some friends at District Brewing in Mount Vernon.
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Mitigating floods from Skagit River
Summers are warm and dry, while winters bring snowstorms and rain. The Skagit River has a history of flooding the city, and the flood risk increases during heavy rains. In the past, residents have assembled walls of sandbags to mitigate floods, but now a permanent floodwall protects downtown.
A Floodwall protects the Skagit Riverwalk path in Mount Vernon during heavy rains.
Mount Vernon installed a floodwall along the Skagit River to mitigate flooding.
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Crime rates in Skagit County lower than state rates
According to the state of Washington, Skagit County’s property and personal crime rates attributed by those between the ages of 18 and 39 are trending downward, while the state rates are trending upward. However, both county and state levels decreased from 2022 to 2023. According to the CAP Index, Mount Vernon’s crime scores vary between 1 and 7, with less crime in the eastern outskirts and higher crime rates north of downtown.
Written By
Laura Copan
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Video By
Jahlil Harris
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Forrest Reda,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Mount Vernon, WA sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mount Vernon, WA over the last 12 months is $630,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Calling all car lovers! —this mid-century rancher is your dream come true! Set on nearly an acre just outside the city, this lovely home lives larger than it looks, with timeless design and a flexible bonus room for an office, gym, or theater room. The spacious primary suite offers comfort and quiet after a day in the shop. And what a shop it is—48' x 36', fully wired with 220V, Cat-5, a car
Set on over 3 acres of serene countryside, this 3,904 sq ft farmhouse retreat offers sweeping territorial views and timeless charm. Featuring 4 spacious bedrooms, including a main-level primary suite, plus a full bath and two 3⁄4 baths, the home showcases soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams and a gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances and casual dining space. Enjoy peaceful mornings or
EXCELLENT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY with this duplex on a large corner lot on the hill in Mount Vernon. Strong rental history with long-term tenants on both sides. Units have separate addresses: 1710 E. Highland is a 3 bed, 2 bath with 1629 sq feet; 430 N 17th is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 1531 sq feet. Both units feature spacious living areas, well-appointed kitchens, large bedrooms, all appliances
Calling all car lovers! —this mid-century rancher is your dream come true! Set on nearly an acre just outside the city, this lovely home lives larger than it looks, with timeless design and a flexible bonus room for an office, gym, or theater room. The spacious primary suite offers comfort and quiet after a day in the shop. And what a shop it is—48' x 36', fully wired with 220V, Cat-5, a car
Set on over 3 acres of serene countryside, this 3,904 sq ft farmhouse retreat offers sweeping territorial views and timeless charm. Featuring 4 spacious bedrooms, including a main-level primary suite, plus a full bath and two 3⁄4 baths, the home showcases soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams and a gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances and casual dining space. Enjoy peaceful mornings or
EXCELLENT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY with this duplex on a large corner lot on the hill in Mount Vernon. Strong rental history with long-term tenants on both sides. Units have separate addresses: 1710 E. Highland is a 3 bed, 2 bath with 1629 sq feet; 430 N 17th is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 1531 sq feet. Both units feature spacious living areas, well-appointed kitchens, large bedrooms, all appliances
Nice one bedroom apartment located close to Mount Vernon river front with recreation and dining options plus close to downtown shopping. Historic brick building houses 9 total units. This apartment is the first apartment in the in the building on the left. Only front entry stairs to access the unit. Tall ceilings with plenty of windows bring in the natural light. Galley kitchen. Street parking.
Newly remolded and spacious apartment, located in the heart of Mount Vernon. This is a smoke-free complex within walking distance of Mount Vernon High School and mere minutes driving distance to an array of quality dental, vision and medical specialists that make it convenient to meet your needs, while saving time. The YMCA, Co-op's, grocery stores and local, as well as chain, restaurants are
Formerly a logging town, Big Lake is now a rural, residential community with a down-to-earth vibe and nature at its heart. “Big Lake has year-round residents. It’s vibrant with young families,” says Kathy D. West, Broker at Windermere Real Estate/JS with 13 years of experience. At Christmas, families can cut down their very own tree to decorate from Big Lake Trees & Events. This family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm since the 1970s is one of several small businesses that have been around for decades. And for other outings, Big Lake residents drive a few miles into Mount Vernon or Sedro-Woolley.
The lake itself is safe to splash around in: “You can get in the water to swim and use watercraft,” West says. “If you want to get out on the lake with your boat, Big Lake is the better choice as opposed to Clear Lake,” which is a similar community with a smaller lake about 5 miles north. Big Lake has a public boat launch and a maximum depth of 23 feet. Anglers fish for Coho salmon, Largemouth bass, Coastal Cutthroat trout and other species. Golfers enjoy lake views from Overlook Golf Course, a nine-hole executive course, veteran-owned since 1985. Campers can head to Tree Tent Park, just south of the lake. Finally, Lang’s Horse & Pony Farm gives horseback riding lessons to all ages, where guides lead trail rides through the 300 acres of forest.
Paved roads lined with telephone wires encircle the lake and cut through dense patches of trees. Driving through the quiet neighborhood, it’s clear that homes are not cookie-cutter lookalikes. In addition to the scenic lake and evergreens, the custom homes give Big Lake another boost in visual appeal. Some homes sit right by the shore, while others are surrounded by land. Those facing the lakeshore have large windows and some have wooden docks. Prices extend from about $510,000 to $1.5 million; homes at both ends of the price range are available on the lakeshore. Land parcels are also available.
Featuring live music, seafood and burgers, Big Lake Bar and Grille is the only restaurant in the neighborhood. Similarly, Big Lake Grocery is the only place to get beer and groceries. For larger supermarkets and more retail and dining options, residents go to the neighboring town of Mt. Vernon, about 6 miles west.
Big Lake Elementary, rated B-minus on Niche teaches kindergarten through Grade 6 and is located in the neighborhood. Students attending Cascade Middle, rated C-plus, and Sedro-Woolley Senior High School, rated B-minus, commute about 9 miles north to Sedro-Woolley. Starting as early as ninth grade, high school students can take college classes offered by Skagit Valley College and Central Washington University without needing to leave the campus.
Big Lake is not known for being a bikeable or walkable neighborhood, as it is quite rural. Route 9 runs alongside the lake, extending north to Sedro-Woolley and south to Lake McMurray. Skagit Valley Hospital is about 5 miles northwest and Bellingham International Airport is about 37 miles north up Interstate 5.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Mount Vernon Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
36,530
Median Age
38
Population Density
353 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,593
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,799
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.2%
College Graduates
25.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.6%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
40/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
43/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
