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Mount Vernon, Illinois

city · Jefferson County (primary) , Kendall County

At a glance

14,090
Population
$99,800
Median home value (all homes)
67% below U.S. median
$137,801
Typical market value
Zillow, 2026-07
$910/mo
Median rent
32% below U.S. median
$55,357
Median household income
30% below U.S. median
14 min
Average commute
87.6%
Homes with broadband
77.27%
Locations with fiber available
6.3%
Unemployment

Cost of living (Clay Affordability Index)

CAI 84 — 16% below the national average. how it's computed

Housing49% below
Goods & services4% below
Utilities22% above
Taxes9% above
Insurance18% below
Commute cost50% below
For business: Illinois is CBII band 3/5 · time to build band 2/5. See state page for the breakdown.

Living here

Nearest 4-year college45 mi
Nearest community college13 mi
Nearest technical college57 mi
High school graduates94.1%
College graduates18.5%

Doing business here

Economic development contacts, most local first:

city Mount Vernon
The City of Mt. Vernon’s Economic Development page highlights Mt. Vernon as a prime location for new and expanding industries, with two shovel-ready industrial parks near the I-57/I-64 interchange and incentives including Enterprise Zone, Opportunity Zone, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts to support growth and investment.
county Jefferson County Development Corp
The Jefferson County Development Corporation (JCDC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been in existence since 2006, replacing the former Mount Vernon Economic Development Commission. It is funded by both public and private investment, and promoting its members in conjunction with identifying and addressing their needs is its first priority.
state Ameren Economic Development Services
Ameren provides energy services in Illinois and Missouri, including energy efficiency programs, electric vehicles, renewables, and economic development resources for businesses.
state Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the state's commerce department focused on creating equitable economic opportunities by attracting and supporting job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ workforce, fostering innovation, and advancing the clean energy economy.
state Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce & Eco Dev
Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development is a regional economic development organization with a focus on business retention and expansion for both small businesses and large industrial corporations.
state NW Illinois Economic Development
NW Illinois Economic Development (NWILED) promotes economic development by fostering business growth and assisting expanding and relocating businesses, providing access to resources to start and grow their businesses, and coordinating with government and business partners.
state Northwest Illinois Development Alliance
NW Illinois Economic Development (NWILED) promotes economic development by fostering business growth and assisting expanding and relocating businesses in cooperation with government and business partners. It supports entrepreneurs by providing access to resources to start and grow their businesses and aims to create a welcoming business environment by matching the skills of the available workforce with business needs.
state Quad Cities First
Community development organization focused on local business growth; the Quad Cities Chamber helps members connect, collaborate and grow, advocates for business at city halls, in state legislatures and in Washington, D.C., and supports small and minority business development.
state Research Park at University of Illinois
Research Park is a leading technology hub on the University of Illinois campus that cultivates startups and accelerates corporate innovation. It hosts 120+ companies and over 2,000 affiliated employees, with EnterpriseWorks serving as the incubator for early-stage tech firms.
state Southwestern Illinois Development Authority
The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) is a quasi-governmental, municipal corporation created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1987 to promote and enhance community and economic development in Bond, Clinton, Madison and St. Clair counties. It operates without tax dollars and uses bonds and other financing tools, real estate development services and technical development assistance.
State sales taxYes
State income taxYes
Right-to-work stateNo

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