Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Mount Vernon, Iowa is a small city with a population of 4,487 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Mount Vernon is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. The median age of all Mount Vernon residents is 23, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Mount Vernon is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 42%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Mount Vernon will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Mount Vernon could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Mount Vernon, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, housing and more.
Mount Vernon, IA receives 77 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #94 in Iowa and #2,085 in the USA. Based on this score, Mount Vernon would be considered a very livable city! Mount Vernon has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Mount Vernon ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B), education (A+), employment (B-) and housing (B+).
Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Mount Vernon, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 82%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Mount Vernon apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Mount Vernon meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Mount Vernon. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Mount Vernon are simply unattainable. The median home price for Mount Vernon homes is $198,900, which is 49.8% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Mount Vernon, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 16.7% higher than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Mount Vernon | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 66.8% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.2% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 15.6% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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