$319,534Average Value$257Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
A quiet, former fishing village on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
At the mouth of the Wicomico River, Mount Vernon overflows with coastal beauty and signs of a simple, rural lifestyle. Cordgrass and black needlerush fields cover the Princess Anne peninsula, originally settled by oystermen and crabbers in the mid-19th century. Gothic Revival-style churches and a former one-room schoolhouse turned volunteer fire station still stand from that era. Though fishing is more of a hobby than a job for residents these days, boating still defines life in Mount Vernon. Wooden docks stretch behind most houses, and locals drive golf carts to Webster’s Cove Marina. The community’s remote location hemmed in by marshland furthers this peaceful atmosphere. “There aren’t any stores, restaurants or schools in Mount Vernon. It’s essentially just houses, the volunteer fire station and the marina. There’s not even cell phone service,” says Jennifer Whittington, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate, who has also sold several homes in the area. “It’s always quiet, and that’s not something you always find with waterfront communities on the Eastern Shore.”
Boating is one of the most popular activities for residents of Mount Vernon.
Fishing is a popular pastime among residents of Mount Vernon.
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Mountain Vernon homes are in a flood zone
Custom-built homes dot Mount Vernon’s narrow asphalt roads, which are frequented not just by drivers but also by wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. Fields of rolling corn and soybean crops fan out behind 1920s Colonial Revivals and detached barns. Loblolly and eastern white pine trees tower over 1950s ranch styles, typically sitting on two-to-three-acre lots. Long driveways lead to New Traditional houses built throughout the early 2000s. Private docks and pebbly shorelines run behind stilt-style homes and cottages on the water. Compared to a Princess Anne home’s average $250,000 selling price, older homes in Mount Vernon can cost between $150,000 and $400,000, while newer builds may sell in the $500,000 to $600,000 range. Whittington says it’s rare for a house to go on the market here. “These are generational houses. They get passed down through families, whether it’s because they’re family-run farms or they’ve got waterfront access.”
Mount Vernon is in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone, and Somerset County requires homeowners to have flood insurance. It’s mandatory for new-build homes to be raised 2 feet above the ground and set back at least 100 feet from the shoreline. This area also falls under FEMA’s 50 Percent Rule, which states that any repairs or renovations to a house must cost 50% less than the property's appraised value. Dawn Neville, who has lived in Mount Vernon since the 1990s, says her home is frequently affected by high tides and tropical storms. “We get at least one-to-two super bad floods a year, but the water never actually touches our house,” she says. “It makes the yard super marshy, and sometimes there’s so much water in the driveway that we can’t leave.” There’s one other way residents make a true commitment to rustic living here: the community has no trash or recycling pick-up, and all garbage must be dropped off at the Mt Vernon Transfer Station in the community’s southeast region.
Large, raised homes shelter inhabitants from any risk of flooding in Mount Vernon.
Long docks with boat lifts keep boats protected during the winter months in Mount Vernon.
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Crabbing, fishing and boating on the Wicomico River
Water gently laps against sailboats and single-console boats tied to wooden slips at the public Webster’s Cove Marina off Dorsey Road. Hydraulic crab pot haulers sit atop several boats, but Whittington says official equipment isn’t always needed for crabbing. “Fishermen will tie a chicken carcass to a string, toss it behind the boat and lift it up once they feel the crabs start eating it.” Anglers can also catch rockfish, largemouth bass and yellow perch from their boats or off rock jetties. Locals launch kayaks off the marina’s concrete ramp to paddle through the calm water, passing muskrats burrowing and great blue herons standing on the shoreline. Up the street from the marina, Mt. Vernon Park has two playgrounds, a half basketball court and 10 acres of open space, where Frisbees fly into disc golf holes and kids play soccer. Though Mount Vernon has no public beaches, Neville says locals who don’t live waterside can still access the shoreline. “If you know someone who lives on the water, they’ll typically let you swim or walk your dog along the shore. We let people swim off our dock all the time. No one is overly territorial about that kind of thing.” As most of Mount Vernon and its surrounding area is marshland, Neville warns that bug spray is a must. “The mosquitoes are dreadful. I won't leave the house during the summer without dousing myself in bug spray,” she says. “We’ve also got these horrible biting horseflies called greenheads.”
Acres of state-owned hunting land surround Mount Vernon. “Most of us live here full time, but the people who are part-time don’t come up for the summer,” Neville says. “They come up for duck hunting season.” Less than 15 miles south, 13,000 acres of tidal marshland and hickory forests make up the Deal Island State Wildlife Management Area. Hunters can expect to see ducks like blue-winged teals, wigeons and northern shovelers between October and January.
A paddleboarder makes his way to the banks of the Wicomico Creek at Douglas Nichols Park.
Locals enjoy using Deal Island Wildlife Area for hunting and fishing near Mount Vernon.
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Locals walk to church and go to seafood boils at the Mt Vernon Volunteer Fire Co.
The community is home to several longstanding churches, which Neville believes are an integral part of the community. “On Sunday morning, everyone walks or drives their golf carts to church,” she says. “I’m not sure I would know as many of my neighbors if it weren’t for that.” Asbury Methodist Church sits atop a grassy hill dotted with moss-covered headstones dating back to the early 1900s. Built in 1887, Mount Zion Memorial Church is one of the oldest African American churches in Somerset County. Though the church no longer holds regular mass, bells still ring when it hosts funerals and weddings.
An American flag waves over the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Co., which also provides EMT services for the community as the closest hospital, TidalHeath Peninsula Regional, is 20 miles away in Salisbury. It also hosts a few community events. “Frankly, they don’t have much firefighting to do,” Neville says. “The volunteers will make these huge meals and sell tickets for them, so we go to the station a lot for dinner.” Ticket proceeds for the station’s regular clam bakes and crab boils help fund firetruck and firehouse maintenance. In August, the station hosts a youth pageant to crown Mount Vernon’s Fire Queens, who represent the community at events like the nearby Pocomoke Christmas Parade.
Somerset County Public Schools and proximity to an HBCU
Children can attend prekindergarten through first grade at Princess Anne Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche, then go on to C-minus-rated Greenwood Elementary School for second through fifth grade. They may continue to Somerset Intermediate School for sixth and seventh grade before finishing eighth through 12th grade at Washington High School & Academy. Both schools earn C grades. Students, parents and alums wearing maroon and gold fill the high school’s gymnasium when the basketball team plays nearby Crisfield High School. “Washington has a football team, but Crisfield doesn’t,” Whittington says. “The basketball games are when the rivalry is on full display. You’re lucky to find a seat on the bleachers for those games.” The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is an HBCU 10 miles east of the community. Known for its agriculture program, the school has hydroponic farms, cattle herds and pesticide test sites spread across its 1,100-acre campus.
Princess Anne Elementary School is an above average school, located in Princess Anne, MD.
Somerset Intermediate School has an overall C grade with Niche.com.
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The Whitehaven Ferry helps drivers avoid traffic
Established in 1692, the Whitehaven Ferry on Mount Vernon’s northeastern shoreline is the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States. It used to carry fishermen between Mount Vernon and the quaint town of Whitehaven. Now, commuters hop on the three-car boat, traveling between the towns in just 6 minutes and avoiding the 40-minute drive. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., though Whittington says that time changes often. “You have to call the ferry hotline to make sure they're open because sometimes it'll close if the tide is too low.”
Though locals can walk to the marina and church, Mount Vernon is a car-dependent community. U.S. Route 13 is a 10-mile drive east of the neighborhood, making Philadelphia another 150-mile drive north. The highway eventually connects with U.S. Route 50, leading to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, with a 130-mile drive east. Salisbury Regional Airport offers flights with American Airlines less than 25 miles away. There are no bus stops in the neighborhood.
Traverse the Wicomico River with your car using the White Haven Ferry near Mount Vernon.
Route 50 connects Mount Vernon to nearby cities to the west.
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Downtown Princess Anne is nearby, and The Red Roost is a quick boat ride away
The closest supermarket is the Food Lion 10 miles east in Princess Anne, also home to a quiet downtown district. Banners celebrating local veterans hang from iron lampposts, lining the red-brick sidewalks in front of Italianate-style bakeries, hardware stores and antique shops. Dating back to 1744, The Washington Inn is a stand-alone, Colonial-style hotel and restaurant best known for its brunch menu that includes Dutch-style pancakes and thick-cut bacon. Whittington says locals also drive to Salisbury, about 20 miles northeast, for shopping and dining options. “Downtown Princess Anne is cute and more convenient for day-to-day stuff, but Salisbury is more of a city, so there are few more places to shop, and there’s a nightlife scene.” The Centre at Salisbury is an indoor mall with stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Burlington. Downtown Salisbury has cozy bars like Mojo’s Urban Eatery, which serves brick-oven pizza and dog-themed shots, including the pineapple-flavored Old Yeller.
Even with proximity to these downtown districts, locals head across the river to The Red Roost. “I’ll see all my neighbors at The Red Roost on the weekends,” Neville says. “They’ve got a dock, so we can take the boat up. People also take the ferry to get there because it’s like an hour drive away otherwise.” Once a chicken coop in the 1960s, the small red barn is now filled with brown paper-covered tables, where patrons crack fresh-caught crabs and eat steamed corn. After dinner, a quick van ride leads to Bull Lips, the restaurant’s riverside bar with hammocks, pastel-painted picnic tables and cornhole boards dotting the sand.
Nearby Princess Anne has a quaint main street with shopping and dining.
The Red Roost is a local favorite for delicious, fresh seafood near Mount Vernon.
GreatSchools:
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nicole Schreibstein Abbott,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Mount Vernon Park
Transit
Airport
Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional
35 min drive
Mount Vernon Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mount Vernon, Princess Anne sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mount Vernon, Princess Anne over the last 12 months is $425,000.
Come Build your Dream Home on this 3.3 Acre lot in the Pristine Covington Cove Development. Enjoy the Quiet Surroundings on this Partially Wooded Lot. Build a Pier Out to the Deep Water of Monie Creek and Enjoy the Perks of being a Resident in this Splendid Community including the Use of the Community Boat Ramp or Strolling Around the Fresh Water Pond that is close by. The Lot has already had the
This beautiful 2+ acre lot is ready for your dream home. Nestled within the quaint and peaceful Covington Cove community. This community includes a private gated boat launch just for the neighborhood that you can utilize for all your crabbing, fishing and recreational activities. Conveniently located minutes from shopping, dining, universities, highway access and more. Schedule your showing
This beautiful 2+ acre lot is ready for your dream home. Nestled within the quaint and peaceful Covington Cove community. This community includes a private gated boat launch just for the neighborhood that you can utilize for all your crabbing, fishing and recreational activities. Conveniently located minutes from shopping, dining, universities, highway access and more. Schedule your showing
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nicole Schreibstein Abbott,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
717
Median Age
51
Population under 18
19.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,045
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,937
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
College Graduates
6.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
