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Mount Vernon, IL

Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
Last updated
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers

Population

14,090
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

38.9
years ∙ half population younger than 38.9, half older

Diversity Index

Low High
40.8%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

2.5%
foreign-born population
97.5%Native
2.5% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Mount Vernon is a city within Jefferson County, Illinois, United States.
Location
City in Jefferson County, IL, US
Co-ordinates
DEC38.314205° N, 88.917470° W
DMS38° 18′ 51.14″ N, 88° 55′ 02.89″ W

Population Density & area

958.5/sq mi (370.8/km²)
Total Area
14.8 sq mi (38.2 km²)
Land Area
14.7 sq mi (38 km²) · 99.46%
Water Area
0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) · 0.54%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

50.3% male
Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%
males per 100 females
Mount Vernon 101.1
Jefferson County 106.7
Illinois 97.7

Nativity

2.5%
foreign-born population
97.5%Native
2.5% Foreign-born
% Foreign-born
Mount Vernon 2.5%
Jefferson County 1.9%
Illinois 14.7%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

38.9
years ∙ half population younger than 38.9, half older
Mount Vernon
38.9
Jefferson County
41.2
Illinois
39

Dependency ratio

Low High
73
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Mount Vernon 73
Jefferson County 73.1
Illinois 63.5

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group
Median age
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Age Group
Children (Under 18) 22.6% 22.3% 21.8%
Working age (18-64) 57.8% 57.7% 61.2%
Senior (65+) 19.6% 20% 17%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio 73 73.1 63.5
Child dependency ratio 39.1 38.6 35.7
Old-age dependency ratio 33.8 34.6 27.8
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White
75.7%
Black
11%
Asian
1%
Hispanic
4.5%
Other
7.8%
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

Low High
40.8%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Mount Vernon 40.8%
Jefferson County 29.3%
Illinois 60.5%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Mount Vernon population
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Hispanic or Latino 4.5% 2.8% 18.8%
Mexican 2.4% 1.7% 14.4%
Puerto Rican 1.6% 0.8% 1.6%
Cuban 0% 0% 0.3%
Other Hispanic / Latino 0.5% 0.3% 2.5%
Not Hispanic or Latino 95.5% 97.2% 81.2%
One race 88.7% 91.2% 77.8%
White 75.7% 83.6% 58.1%
Black or African American 11% 5.8% 13.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.7% 0.3% 0.1%
Asian 1% 1% 5.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0%
Some Other Race 0.3% 0.4% 0.4%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 6.8% 6% 3.4%
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

56.8% family
Family 56.8%
Non family 43.2%
% family households
Mount Vernon 56.8%
Jefferson County 63.8%
Illinois 62.2%

Average household size

2.22
persons per household
Mount Vernon
2.22
Jefferson County
2.37
Illinois
2.46

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households
Percentage of Mount Vernon population
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total households 6,108 14,820 5,036,449
Average houshold size 2.22 2.37 2.46
Family households 3,467 9,449 3,130,978
Average family size 2.88 2.95 3.14
Married couple family 2,058 6,986 2,282,435
Other families 1,409 2,463 848,543
Male householder 421 797 248,521
Female householder 988 1,666 600,022
Non-family households 2,641 5,371 1,905,471
One-person households 2,320 4,663 1,569,881
Male householder 1,041 2,170 712,191
Senior (65+) living alone 267 659 210,051
Female householder 1,279 2,493 857,690
Senior (65+) living alone 683 1,443 417,870
Other living arrangements 321 708 335,590

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

7,131
housing units
Mount Vernon 7,131
Jefferson County 16,629
Illinois 5,457,452

Occupancy status

85.7% occupied
Occupied 85.7%
Vacant 14.3%
vacancy rate
Mount Vernon 14.3%
Jefferson County 10.9%
Illinois 7.7%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

69.5%
Single family houses
Single family houses
69.5%
Apartments in multi-unit structures
25.5%
Mobile homes
5%
Boat, RV, van, etc
0%

Median Year Built

1969
Half of houses were built before 1969, and half after.
Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier
15.5%
Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969
37.2%
Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999
39.5%
Modern ∙ 2000 or later
7.8%
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Rooms per unit
Median rooms 5.4 5.8 5.6
1–3 rooms 16.3% 10.7% 14.6%
4–6 rooms 56.1% 55.2% 50.9%
7+ rooms 27.5% 34.1% 34.6%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio 3.4% 2.1% 3.1%
1 bedroom 8.3% 6.8% 11.5%
2 bedrooms 36.9% 28.8% 27.7%
3 bedrooms 36.5% 46% 35.8%
4+ bedrooms 14.9% 16.3% 21.7%
At a glance
Median year built 1969 1978 1971
Total housing units 7,131 16,629 5,457,452
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

53.1% owners
Renter-occupied 46.9%
Owner-occupied 53.1%
homeownership rate
Mount Vernon 53.1%
Jefferson County 71.7%
Illinois 67.1%

Average household size

2.54
Owner-occupied
1.86
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Mount Vernon 2.54
Jefferson County 2.55
Illinois 2.62

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total occupied units 6,108 14,820 5,036,449
Year moved in
2020 or later 29% 20.1% 23.3%
2010 to 2019 39.2% 35% 38.1%
2000 to 2009 13.5% 19.1% 17.3%
1999 or earlier 18.3% 25.8% 21.3%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer 99% 98.8% 97.5%
1.01 to 1.50 0.8% 0.7% 1.6%
1.51 or more 0.2% 0.5% 0.8%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles 8.4% 6.3% 11%
1 vehicle 43.6% 31.5% 35.7%
2 vehicles 32.9% 37.5% 35.1%
3 or more vehicles 15.1% 24.7% 18.3%
House heating fuel used
Gas 53.5% 54.8% 79.5%
Electricity 44.6% 40.2% 18.6%
Solar 0% 0.1% 0.1%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc 0.3% 0.2% 0.1%
All other fuels 0.1% 4% 0.8%
No fuel used 1.4% 0.8% 0.8%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing 0.6% 0.4% 0.3%
Lacking complete kitchen 3.4% 2.1% 0.8%
No telephone service available 1.7% 1.7% 0.8%
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$99,800
owner-occupied units
Median value(USD)
Mount Vernon
$99,800
Jefferson County
$126,000
Illinois
$263,300

Housing Cost Burden

17.4%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
% Cost-Burdened Households
Owners with a mortgage
17.4%
Owners without a mortgage
12.9%
Renters
45.6%
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Property value
Median Value $99,800 $126,000 $263,300
Under $100,000 50.2% 38.9% 13.7%
$100,000 - $200,000 35.7% 34.9% 21.5%
$200,000 - $300,000 10.4% 18% 22.3%
$300,000 - $500,000 2.7% 6.8% 27.7%
$500,000 - $1,000,000 0.6% 1.3% 12.1%
$1,000,000 and more 0.3% 0.2% 2.7%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage 51.1% 48.4% 60.8%
Without a mortgage 48.9% 51.6% 39.2%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage $1,150 $1,278 $1,987
Without a mortgage $615 $578 $792
Gross rent
Median rent $910 $885 $1,274

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

18.5%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Mount Vernon 18.5%
Jefferson County 18.2%
Illinois 37.8%

Adults without a high school diploma

5.9%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Mount Vernon 5.9%
Jefferson County 7.7%
Illinois 9.6%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

3,040
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
Nursery / Preschool
8.8%
K–12
77.3%
College / Undergraduate
9.8%
Graduate / Professional
4.1%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

17.6%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Mount Vernon
17.6%
Jefferson County
22.5%
Illinois
41.4%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total enrolled (age 3+) 3,040 7,579 3,051,569
Nursery / preschool 8.8% 6.2% 6.3%
K–12 77.3% 78.7% 67.3%
Kindergarten 9.2% 6.8% 4.9%
Elementary: Grades 1–4 22.1% 22.1% 19.5%
Elementary: Grades 5–8 27.7% 25.5% 20.8%
High School: Grades 9–12 18.2% 24.4% 22.1%
College or graduate school 13.9% 15.1% 26.4%
College, undergraduate 9.8% 12.2% 19.8%
Graduate, professional school 4.1% 2.9% 6.6%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds 17.6% 22.5% 41.4%
School type
Public school 83.5% 86.1% 80.5%
Private school 16.5% 13.9% 19.5%
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

9,905
population 25 years and over
Total adults (25+)
Less than 9th grade
1.4%
9th-12th, no diploma
4.5%
HS graduate
36%
Some college no degree
25.1%
Associates degree
14.5%
Bachelors degree
11.8%
Graduate or professional degree
6.8%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
% male · % female
Less than 9th grade
33.1% · 66.9%
9th-12th, no diploma
42.9% · 57.1%
HS graduate
53.2% · 46.8%
Some college no degree
48.2% · 51.8%
Associates degree
41.9% · 58.1%
Bachelors degree
44.5% · 55.5%
Graduate or professional degree
41.9% · 58.1%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Population (25+) 9,905 25,775 8,767,004
Less than 9th grade 1.4% 2.2% 4.6%
9th–12th, no diploma 4.5% 5.5% 5%
High school diploma or GED 36% 34.5% 25.1%
Some college, no degree 25.1% 25.7% 19.2%
Associate's degree 14.5% 14% 8.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher 18.5% 18.2% 37.8%
Bachelor's degree 11.8% 11.4% 22.6%
Graduate or professional 6.8% 6.7% 15.3%
High School or higher 94.1% 92.3% 90.5%
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$38,941
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Less than HS graduate
$31,389
HS graduate
$31,466
Some college or associates
$37,454
Bachelors degree
$52,404
Graduate or professional degree
$78,750

Poverty Rate

6.5%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Less than HS graduate
17.3%
HS graduate
17.6%
Some college or associates
15.7%
Bachelors degree or higher
6.5%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings $38,941 $43,701 $55,582
Less than high school graduate $31,389 $30,516 $34,655
High school graduate (includes equivalency) $31,466 $40,704 $40,965
Some college or associate's degree $37,454 $40,282 $47,813
Bachelor's degree $52,404 $59,167 $73,326
Graduate or professional degree $78,750 $69,295 $91,623
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate 17.3% 20.7% 21.6%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 17.6% 13.7% 14.4%
Some college or associate's degree 15.7% 11.8% 9.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher 6.5% 4.5% 4.5%

Economy & Employment

Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance

Labor Force

Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy

Adult Population (16+)

11,239
residents 16 years and over
Mount Vernon 11,239
Jefferson County 29,415
Illinois 10,264,353

Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)

Low High
57.8%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Mount Vernon 57.8%
Jefferson County 55.5%
Illinois 61%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force

Median Age of Workers (16–64)

39.2
years ∙ half are younger than 39.2, half older
Mount Vernon
39.2
Jefferson County
40.6
Illinois
39.8
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.

Male-Female Labor Force Split

52.4% male
Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Mount Vernon 47.6
Jefferson County 45.9
Illinois 47.6

Labor force composition

Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Mount Vernon
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total labor force 6,939 17,364 6,674,020
Age distribution
16 to 19 years 4.9% 5.3% 4.1%
20 to 24 years 8.5% 8.4% 9.4%
25 to 29 years 12.1% 10.1% 10.9%
30 to 34 years 12.1% 10.2% 11.2%
35 to 44 years 19.2% 20.5% 21.7%
45 to 54 years 19.8% 18.9% 19.7%
55 to 59 years 8.1% 10.1% 9.3%
60 to 64 years 7.1% 8.1% 7.4%
65 to 74 years 7% 7% 5.2%
75 years and over 1.2% 1.3% 0.9%
Gender composition
Male 52.4% 54.1% 52.4%
Female 47.6% 45.9% 47.6%
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

61.7%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Mount Vernon
61.7%
Jefferson County
59%
Illinois
65%
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.

Participation Gap · Male vs Female

66.2%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
57.4%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Mount Vernon 57.4%
Jefferson County 56.1%
Illinois 60.7%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.

AGE & GENDER LFPR

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Mount Vernon
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
LFPR by age group
16 to 19 years 53.7% 52.1% 41.2%
20 to 24 years 84.8% 78.1% 76.3%
25 to 29 years 77% 79.1% 85.3%
30 to 34 years 81.6% 77.4% 85.7%
35 to 44 years 75.2% 78% 85.7%
45 to 54 years 77.8% 73.4% 83.7%
55 to 59 years 76.7% 69.1% 76.8%
60 to 64 years 64.3% 59% 60.8%
65 to 74 years 29.8% 28.5% 27.5%
75 years and over 7.4% 7.5% 7.1%
LFPR by gender
Male 66.2% 61.8% 69.5%
Female 57.4% 56.1% 60.7%
LFPR by race, ethnicity
White 60.4% 59.2% 64.2%
Black or African American 63.1% 49.5% 60.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 100% 64.3% 71.4%
Asian 72.7% 64.9% 67.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% —% 68.8%
Some Other Race 82.5% 59.9% 70.2%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 66.7% 64.3% 70.1%
Hispanic or Latino 78.4% 67.7% 70.8%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions

Unemployment Rate

6.3%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Mount Vernon
6.3%
Jefferson County
5.8%
Illinois
5.8%
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE

8%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
4.5%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Mount Vernon 8%
Jefferson County 7.1%
Illinois 6%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.

CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment Rate in Mount Vernon
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
By age group
16 to 19 years 17.3% 12.5% 15%
20 to 24 years 11.3% 10% 10.3%
25 to 29 years 5.6% 6.4% 6.8%
30 to 34 years 2.5% 5% 5.5%
35 to 44 years 4% 4.5% 4.7%
45 to 54 years 7.3% 5.2% 4.4%
55 to 59 years 3.9% 4% 4.5%
60 to 64 years 10.8% 4.3% 4.4%
65 to 74 years 3.5% 6.3% 4.4%
75 years and over 0% 1.3% 3.7%
By gender
Male 8% 7.1% 6%
Female 4.5% 4.2% 5.7%
By race, ethnicity
White 4.5% 5% 4.4%
Black or African American 15.5% 13.8% 12.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0% 0% 5.9%
Asian 0% 6.9% 4.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% —% 3.4%
Some Other Race 6.6% 5.2% 6.5%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 13.3% 9.4% 6.5%
Hispanic or Latino 4.5% 2.9% 6.2%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

Job Market

Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute

Total employed population

6,493
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Mount Vernon 6,493
Jefferson County 16,340
Illinois 6,263,764
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Full-time employment rate

69%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Mount Vernon 69%
Jefferson County 71%
Illinois 72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Mount Vernon, IL workforce and shape the local economy

Top Industry

About 1 in 5 workers
are employed in Health care and social assistance
Top 3 Industries % of total workers
Health care and social assistance 18.8%
Manufacturing 17.2%
Retail trade 12%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Top industry by gender

Male
Manufacturing employs the most men — 26.5% of 3,337 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 29% of 3,156 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Industries Distribution Table

Employment Distribution by Industries in Mount Vernon
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total employed population 6,493 16,340 6,263,764
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture 0.9% 2.5% 0.9%
Mining and logging 0% 1% 0.1%
Construction 3.9% 5.2% 5.4%
Manufacturing 17.2% 18% 11.5%
Wholesale trade 2.1% 2.5% 2.6%
Retail trade 12% 12.8% 10.3%
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing 6.2% 6.3% 6.3%
Utilities 0.5% 0.9% 0.7%
Information 0.8% 0.9% 1.7%
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance 2.1% 2.6% 5.8%
Real estate and leasing 1.2% 0.7% 1.6%
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services 4% 3.5% 8.8%
Corporate management 1% 0.4% 0.1%
Administrative and waste services 2.8% 2.5% 4%
Education and health services
Educational services 6.9% 7.2% 9.7%
Health care and social assistance 18.8% 15.9% 13.8%
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation 0.8% 0.9% 1.9%
Accommodation and food services 11% 7.5% 6.3%
Other services 3.5% 3.9% 4.6%
Government 4.5% 4.8% 3.8%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed

Employment by employer type

80.3% Private
Government 11.7%
Private Employment 80.3%
Self Employed 8%
Private employment (%)
Mount Vernon 80.3%
Jefferson County 78.1%
Illinois 77.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.

Self-employed workers

8%
of the workers are self-employed
Category % of total workers
Incorporated business 1.8%
Unincorporated business 6.2%
Unpaid family workers 0%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.

Type of employer

Employment distribution by employer type in Mount Vernon
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Private wage & salary 80.3% 78.1% 77.7%
For-profit company employees 68.7% 69% 68.1%
Not-for-profit employees 11.6% 9% 9.7%
Self-employed 8% 9.4% 9%
Incorporated business 1.8% 3.3% 4.1%
Unincorporated business 6.2% 6% 4.7%
Unpaid family workers 0% 0.1% 0.2%
Government 11.7% 12.5% 13.3%
Local government 8.8% 8.2% 7.8%
State government 1.8% 3.3% 3.4%
Federal government 1.1% 1% 2%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes

Work From Home Rate

4% WFH
Work from home 4%
Commute to work 96%
Working from home (%)
Mount Vernon 4%
Jefferson County 5.4%
Illinois 15.9%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.

Travel Time to Work

14 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Mount Vernon 14
Jefferson County 19.6
Illinois 27.8
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.

Commute Patterns

Means of transportation and travel time to work in Mount Vernon
Employed residents 16+.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total employed population 6,493 16,340 6,263,764
Worked from home 4% 5.4% 15.9%
Drove Alone 80.1% 82.3% 65.9%
Carpooled 12.8% 9.9% 7.8%
Public transportation 0.4% 0.3% 5.8%
Walked 0.7% 0.7% 2.8%
Bicycle, taxi & other means 1.9% 1.4% 1.9%
Commuting population 6,107 15,174 5,176,936
Mean travel time (minutes) 14 19.6 27.8
Less than 5 minutes 4.6% 3.5% 3.1%
5 to 14 minutes 59.6% 38.6% 21.8%
15 to 29 minutes 24.1% 36.1% 33.1%
30 to 44 minutes 6.3% 13.6% 22.3%
45 to 59 minutes 3.1% 4.1% 10%
60 to 89 minutes 1.9% 2.9% 7.2%
90 minutes or more 0.4% 1.2% 2.5%
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.

Wages & Earnings

What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer

Median Earnings

$46,909
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Mount Vernon $46,909
Jefferson County $51,869
Illinois $65,575
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.

Gender earnings gap

82 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Mount Vernon 82¢
Jefferson County 74¢
Illinois 81¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Mount Vernon, IL workers are employed

Highest-paying industry

$83,500
Workers in Utilities report the highest median earnings
Top Industries Median annual earnings
Utilities $83,500
Finance and Insurance $80,568
Construction $73,011
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Highest-paying industry by gender

* The Census Bureau did not report an exact highest paying industry earnings gender-wise for Mount Vernon the estimate falls at or above $250,000, the upper limit of the survey's reporting range.
Male
Men working in Finance and Insurance earn the highest median earnings — $133,309, compared to $51,572 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Real estate and leasing earn the highest median earnings — $250,001, compared to $42,524 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Earnings Distribution Table

Earnings by industry in Mount Vernon
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Median Earnings $46,909 $51,869 $65,575
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture $21,771 $46,667 $54,552
Mining and logging $— $71,250 $79,153
Construction $73,011 $67,375 $69,748
Manufacturing $54,597 $56,913 $65,309
Wholesale trade $31,953 $49,861 $68,228
Retail trade $37,384 $38,606 $47,237
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing $48,775 $52,031 $60,707
Utilities $83,500 $81,875 $101,662
Information $37,292 $67,188 $84,305
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance $80,568 $53,173 $91,652
Real estate and leasing $60,729 $57,292 $70,473
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services $54,125 $74,886 $99,457
Corporate management $— $34,286 $104,709
Administrative and waste services $39,191 $39,228 $48,943
Education and health services
Educational services $55,833 $54,981 $65,548
Health care and social assistance $42,238 $48,177 $60,191
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation $— $33,929 $53,253
Accommodation and food services $29,396 $28,971 $37,219
Other services $43,295 $44,420 $51,852
Government $56,667 $63,958 $82,226
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed

Highest-paying employer type

$77,500
Workers in Federal government roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types Median annual earnings
Federal government $77,500
State government $75,476
Local government $51,148
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.

Highest-paying employer type by gender

Male
Men in Federal government roles earn the highest median earnings — $77,500, compared to $51,572 for all employed men
Female
Women in State government roles earn the highest median earnings — $61,563, compared to $42,524 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.

Earnings by employer type

Earnings by employer type in Mount Vernon
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Private wage & salary
For-profit company employees $45,490 $50,803 $64,241
Not-for-profit employees $49,318 $49,299 $66,448
Self-employed
Incorporated business $31,938 $70,402 $75,243
Unincorporated business $33,558 $32,554 $48,242
Government
Local government $51,148 $51,282 $70,623
State government $75,476 $74,940 $69,277
Federal government $77,500 $61,167 $78,457
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Mount Vernon, IL workers hold

Highest-paying occupation

$90,234
Workers in Community and social service occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups Median annual earnings
Community and social service $90,234
Legal $83,646
Computer and math $78,618
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Highest-paying occupation by gender

* The Census Bureau did not report an exact highest paying occupation earnings gender-wise for Mount Vernon the estimate falls at or above $250,000, the upper limit of the survey's reporting range.
Male
Among employed men, workers in Management occupations earn the highest median earnings — $250,001 versus $51,572 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Community and social service occupations earn the highest median earnings — $90,234 versus $42,524 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Earnings by occupation

Earnings by occupation in Mount Vernon
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Median earnings(Total) $46,909 $51,869 $65,575
Management and business
Management $62,404 $68,793 $101,188
Business and finance $48,487 $61,500 $89,539
Technology and science
Computer and math $78,618 $78,958 $105,993
Architecture and engineering $75,221 $77,171 $98,682
Sciences $74,732 $73,586 $80,320
Education, legal, and arts
Community and Social Service $90,234 $55,125 $58,871
Legal $83,646 $82,708 $121,674
Education, Training and Library $55,083 $54,375 $64,259
Arts, design and media $71,116 $66,875 $68,411
Healthcare
Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals $56,250 $73,819 $90,854
Health technicians $60,255 $52,214 $55,100
Healthcare support $31,212 $31,458 $37,977
Protective Service
Firefighting and emergency services $57,258 $56,895 $58,469
Law enforcement $65,682 $72,833 $90,691
Other services
Food preparation and serving $21,833 $24,931 $32,384
Building and grounds cleaning $37,379 $36,910 $38,461
Personal care and service $20,885 $27,083 $35,797
Sales and office
Sales $41,000 $48,387 $63,665
Office and Administrative Support $47,271 $44,406 $50,140
Trades and natural resources
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry $— $33,750 $43,416
Construction and extraction $50,500 $56,125 $66,484
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair $58,281 $66,932 $62,306
Production and transportation
Production $45,761 $51,619 $49,771
Transportation $70,588 $65,000 $59,924
Material moving $34,872 $44,359 $40,369
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Income & Financial Security

Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points

Household Income

What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings

Median Household Income

$55,357
Median household income in Mount Vernon
Median household income (USD)
Mount Vernon
$55,357
Jefferson County
$63,118
Illinois
$83,390
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Mount Vernon, including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes, with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Per capita income

$31,841
Per capita income in Mount Vernon
Per capita income (USD)
Mount Vernon
$31,841
Jefferson County
$33,038
Illinois
$46,406
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Mount Vernon, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks

Mean Household Income

$71,348
Average household income in Mount Vernon
Avg household income (USD)
Mount Vernon
$71,348
Jefferson County
$80,324
Illinois
$115,638
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Mount Vernon, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Mean vs median household income

$71,348
Mean household income
$55,357
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Mount Vernon $15,991
Jefferson County $17,206
Illinois $32,248
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Level

Household and per capita income in Mount Vernon
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Mount Vernon and peer geographies.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total households 6,108 14,820 5,036,449
Median household income $55,357 $63,118 $83,390
Mean household income $71,348 $80,324 $115,638
Mean-median gap $15,991 $17,206 $32,248
Family households 3,467 9,449 3,130,978
Median family income $68,942 $78,998 $106,018
Mean family income $84,254 $96,235 $139,698
Mean-median gap $15,312 $17,237 $33,680
Non-family households 2,641 5,371 1,905,471
Median non-family income $39,104 $37,721 $50,093
Mean non-family income $50,798 $48,369 $71,668
Mean-median gap $11,694 $10,648 $21,575
Other Benchmarks
Per capita income $31,841 $33,038 $46,406
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance

Households with earnings

74.8%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
% households with earnings
Mount Vernon
74.8%
Jefferson County
72.3%
Illinois
77.9%
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.

Transfer income dependency

Social Security
35.5% of households (2,166) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $20,865
SSI (disability)
5% of households (307) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $11,363
Cash Assistance
1.9% of households (115) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $11,363
SNAP / Food Stamps
22.4% of households (1,370) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Sources

Income sources for households in Mount Vernon
Share of households receiving each income type
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total households 6,108 14,820 5,036,449
Wage-based income
With earnings 75% 72% 78%
Retirement and disability income
Social security 36% 38% 29%
Average social security income $20,865 $22,738 $24,173
Retirement income 27% 30% 24%
Average retirement income $28,281 $27,928 $36,075
SSI (Supplemental security) 5% 5% 5%
Average SSI income $11,363 $10,708 $11,482
Public assistance
SNAP / food stamps 22% 17% 14%
Cash assistance 2% 3% 3%
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures

Median income by household type

$68,942
Family households earn $68,942, compared to $39,104 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Median household income (USD)
All households
$55,357
Family households
$68,942
Nonfamily households
$39,104
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Median income by family type

$84,740
Married-couple families earn $84,740, compared to $48,304 for single-parent and other family types.
Median household income (USD)
All family households
$68,942
Married-couple families
$84,740
Other family types
$48,304
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income By Household Type

Median income by household and family size in Mount Vernon
Median household and family income by household size in Mount Vernon, compared with peer geographies.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Total households 6,108 14,820 5,036,449
Household income by size
1-person $37,828 $34,615 $43,493
2-person $73,096 $74,451 $93,659
3-person $60,446 $75,875 $111,952
4-person $69,833 $96,086 $130,868
5-person $81,779 $92,917 $122,967
6-person $— $129,625 $122,158
7-person or more $62,500 $115,476 $126,574
Total families 3,467 9,449 3,130,978
Family income by size
2-person $70,417 $73,342 $91,001
3-person $63,750 $79,356 $109,163
4-person $64,464 $96,891 $132,343
5-person $94,861 $96,354 $123,440
6-person $— $131,350 $123,254
7-person or more $62,500 $115,060 $123,819
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Distribution

How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared

Income Concentration

48.88%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
3.79%
of all household income
Top 20%
48.88%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top fifth of households earn almost half of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 3.79% — meaning the top 20% hold 13 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

The Top 5%

$312,094
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
13.31%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
21.87%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top 5% of households earn an average of $312,094 and hold 21.87% of all household income — more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 13.31%
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares

Income Distribution

Under $50K
44.5%
$50K - $100K
35.1%
$100K - $150K
12.7%
$150K - $200K
3.8%
Over $200K
3.7%
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Households earning $100K or more

20.2%
of all households, 1,239 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Mount Vernon 20.2%
Jefferson County 26.7%
Illinois 41.9%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.

Household income brackets

Household income brackets in Mount Vernon
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Mount Vernon, compared with peer geographies.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Median household income $55,357 $63,118 $83,390
Income bracket
Less than $10,000 5.6% 5.1% 5.4%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.4% 3.3% 3.2%
$15,000 to $24,999 12.3% 9.5% 5.9%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.9% 8.5% 6.3%
$35,000 to $49,999 13.3% 12.3% 9.7%
$50,000 to $74,999 23% 21.2% 14.8%
$75,000 to $99,999 12.1% 13.4% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 12.7% 15.5% 18%
$150,000 to $199,999 3.8% 6.6% 10.1%
$200,000 or more 3.7% 4.6% 13.8%
Cumulative Shares
Share below $35,000 31.2% 26.4% 20.8%
Share below $75,000 67.5% 59.9% 45.3%
Share above $100,000 20.2% 26.7% 41.9%
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies

Gini Index of Income Inequality

Low High
0.45
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Mount Vernon 0.45
Jefferson County 0.43
Illinois 0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.

Earnings Gap

$174,373
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Avg income for top 20% ($)
Mount Vernon
$174,373
Jefferson County
$189,271
Illinois
$296,721
Key insights
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Household income distribution

Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Mount Vernon
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Highest household income in each group ($)
Bottom 20% $24,087 $28,003 $33,491
Lower 20% $45,338 $51,200 $65,481
Middle 20% $65,397 $75,213 $104,097
Upper 20% $101,450 $117,604 $166,035
Top 5% threshold $188,481 $197,667 $250,001
Average household income within each group ($)
Bottom 20% $13,515 $14,967 $16,790
Lower 20% $33,972 $39,391 $49,203
Middle 20% $54,630 $63,241 $83,934
Upper 20% $80,253 $94,750 $131,544
Top 20% $174,373 $189,271 $296,721
Top 5% $312,094 $315,310 $533,114
Share of total income (%)
Bottom 20% 3.79% 3.73% 2.91%
Lower 20% 9.52% 9.81% 8.51%
Middle 20% 15.31% 15.75% 14.52%
Upper 20% 22.5% 23.59% 22.75%
Top 20% 48.88% 47.13% 51.32%
Top 5% 21.87% 19.63% 23.05%
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area

Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households

White
Among the 4,991 White households (81.7% of all households), the median household income is $56,709.
Black
Among the 572 Black or African American households (9.4% of all households), the median household income is $31,750.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income by race and ethnicity

Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Mount Vernon
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Jefferson County and Illinois.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
All Residents $55,357 $63,118 $83,390
White $56,709 $65,383 $90,723
Black or African American $31,750 $30,375 $50,704
American Indian and Alaska Native $— $38,900 $76,593
Asian $76,583 $76,477 $114,625
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander $— $— $73,176
Some Other Race $50,724 $51,140 $73,989
Two or more races (Multiracial) $70,000 $65,000 $79,574
Hispanic or Latino $50,702 $52,363 $77,559
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Poverty

Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected

Poverty Rate

17.3%
17.3% of residents, or 2,340 people, live below the poverty line.
% poverty rate
Mount Vernon
17.3%
Jefferson County
13.5%
Illinois
11.8%
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Working Poor

3.8%
3.8% of full-time, year-round workers, or 172 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
% full-time workers in poverty
Mount Vernon
3.8%
Jefferson County
3.1%
Illinois
2%
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies

CHILD POVERTY RATE

25.1%
25.1% of children under 18, or 755 children, live below the poverty line.
Child poverty rate (%)
Mount Vernon
25.1%
Jefferson County
18.8%
Illinois
15.1%
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

SENIOR POVERTY RATE

10.4%
10.4% of adults aged 65 and older, or 266 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Senior poverty rate (%)
Mount Vernon
10.4%
Jefferson County
8.2%
Illinois
10.4%
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Poverty Rates

Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
Overall poverty rate 17.3% 13.5% 11.8%
Poverty by age
Under 18 years 25.1% 18.8% 15.1%
Under 5 years 40% 25.5% 16%
5 to 17 years 20.1% 16.5% 14.8%
18 to 64 years 16.6% 13.4% 11%
18 to 34 years 16.3% 14% 13.5%
35 to 64 years 16.7% 13% 9.6%
65 years and over 10.4% 8.2% 10.4%
Poverty by sex
Male 13.8% 11.3% 10.7%
Female 20.7% 15.8% 12.9%
Poverty by work engagement
Worked full time, year-round 3.8% 3.1% 2%
Worked part time or part year 20.5% 15.3% 14.5%
Did not work 26.5% 21.3% 21.1%
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types

Poverty by household type

15.1%
of all households are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All households
15.1%
Family
13.5%
Nonfamily
17.3%
Key insights
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty among family households

13.5%
of families are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All families
13.5%
Married-couple
8.3%
Other families
21%
Key insights
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by household type

Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Mount Vernon
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 13.5% 10.6% 8.2%
Householder under 25 years 34.5% 43.3% 27.3%
Householder 25 to 44 years 24% 17.2% 11.6%
Householder 45 to 64 years 2.8% 5.8% 5.9%
Householder 65 years and over 9.2% 6.2% 5.6%
NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 17.3% 18.7% 19%
Householder under 25 years 10% 20.1% 36%
Householder 25 to 44 years 15.4% 16.7% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 26.6% 26.8% 21.9%
Householder 65 years and over 12.9% 13.5% 19.1%
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally

Poverty by race — Black vs. White

White
14% of White residents, or 1,451 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
38.4% of Black or African American residents, or 581 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by race and ethnicity

Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Mount Vernon
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Mount Vernon and peer geographies.
Mount Vernon Jefferson County Illinois
All Residents 17.3% 13.5% 11.8%
White 14% 12.4% 8.6%
Black or African American 38.4% 34.5% 24.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0% 1.7% 13.1%
Asian 2.6% 3.8% 10.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% —% 20.9%
Some Other Race 17.9% 16.1% 15.7%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 22.9% 14% 12.6%
Hispanic or Latino 26.1% 19.9% 14%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

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