Editing Mount Vernon, Ohio

{{about|the city in Knox County|the neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio|Mount Vernon, Columbus, Ohio}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Mount Vernon, Ohio
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "One of Ohio's Most Likable Communities"

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = East High Street Historic District, Mount Vernon.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = East High Street Historic District, Mount Vernon
|image_flag               = Flag of Mount Vernon, Ohio.png
|image_seal               =
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Mount Vernon, Ohio.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Knox County Ohio Mount Vernon highlighted.png
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Mount Vernon, Ohio
|pushpin_map = Ohio#USA
|pushpin_relief = yes
|pushpin_label = Mount Vernon

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Knox County, Ohio|Knox]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 25.68
|area_land_km2            = 25.20
|area_water_km2           = 0.48
|area_total_sq_mi         = 9.91
|area_land_sq_mi          = 9.73
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.18

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 16956
|population_density_km2   = 672.82
|population_density_sq_mi = 1742.65

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 974
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|23|00|N|82|29|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 43050
|area_code                = [[Area code 740|740]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 39-53102<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1086410<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086410}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.mountvernonohio.org/ mountvernonohio.org]
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Mount Vernon''' is a city in [[Knox County, Ohio]], United States, and its [[county seat]]. It is located along the [[Kokosing River]], {{Convert|40|mi|km|abbr=out}} northeast of [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 16,956 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
The community was [[plat]]ted in 1805, and named after [[Mount Vernon (plantation)|Mount Vernon]], the estate owned by [[George Washington]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Overman|first=William Daniel|title=Ohio Town Names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015015361465;view=1up;seq=109|year=1958|publisher=Atlantic Press|location=Akron, OH|page=93}}</ref>

In May 1953, the telephone exchange for the entire city was destroyed by fire, disrupting calls for months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-106/issue-10/features/telephone-exchange-blaze-leaves-city-prey-to-fire.html|title = Telephone Exchange Blaze Leaves City Prey to Fire|date = October 1953}}</ref>

In January 1959, a severe flood caused 500 homes to be evacuated and caused $5 million in damage.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090417234840/http://mountvernonnews.com/local/09/01/21/Flood-strikes-county-50-years-ago "Flood strikes county 50 years ago"] ''Mount Vernon News'', 21 January 2009.</ref>

===Historic sites===
The Woodward Opera House, the oldest opera theater of its kind in the United States, is located downtown. The theater, after many years of renovation and restoration, has been transformed into a local cultural and performing-arts center.

The Knox County Historical Society, with a building and extensive exhibits, makes its headquarters on Harcourt Road in Mount Vernon. Exhibits feature information about [[Dan Emmett|Daniel Decatur Emmett]], [[Paul Lynde]], The Cooper Company and other subjects.

==Geography==
[[Image:Kokosing River Mount Vernon Ohio.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Kokosing River]] in Mount Vernon in 2006]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.60|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|9.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.19|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2011-02-20}}</ref>  The city lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and is surrounded by rolling hills and valleys.

The [[Kokosing River]] and [[U.S. Route 36]] pass through the city.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=right
|1810= 314
|1820= 403
|1830= 1021
|1840= 2363
|1850= 3711
|1860= 4202
|1870= 4876
|1880= 5249
|1890= 6027
|1900= 6638
|1910= 9087
|1920= 9237
|1930= 9370
|1940= 10122
|1950= 12185
|1960= 13284
|1970= 13373
|1980= 14362
|1990= 14550
|2000= 15256
|2010= 16990
|2020= 16956
|estyear=2021
|estimate=16894
|estref=
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=24 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mountvernoncityohio,US/PST045221|title=Mount Vernon city, Ohio|website=census.gov|accessdate=July 5, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 16,990 people, 7,110 households, and 4,016 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1805.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 7,836 housing units at an average density of {{convert|832.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 7,110 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 15,256 people, 6,187 households, and 3,730 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,710.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,713 housing units at an average density of {{convert|798.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The "racial" makeup of the city was 96.66% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.31% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.54% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.29% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.04% from two or more "races". [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any "race" were 0.87% of the population.

There were 6,187 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,801, and the median income for a family was $38,217. Males had a median income of $31,900 versus $21,969 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,471. About 12.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Mount Vernon was the birthplace of [[Cooper Industries]]. There is a large industrial complex in the western part of the city that manufactures and repairs products for the gas and oil power generation industries. It was acquired by [[Rolls-Royce North America]], and in 2014 [[Siemens]] bought the Mount Vernon plant. Facing a declining market, Siemens announced major reductions in employment in October 2016<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gearino|first1=Dan|title=Siemens to cut up to 300 jobs in Mount Vernon|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/02/04/0204-Siemens-to-cut-up-to-300-jobs-in-Mount-Vernon.html|website=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=8 October 2016}}</ref> and in 2018 announced their Mount Vernon facility would close by 2019.<ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/07/27/134-to-be-laid-off-as-mount-vernon-facility-closes.html Columbus Business Journal, "134 to be laid off as Mount Vernon facility closes"]</ref>

Ariel Corporation, a major manufacturer<ref>See http://www.pandmt.com/compressor_manuf_.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006075340/http://www.pandmt.com/compressor_manuf_.htm |date=2008-10-06 }} as an example</ref> of reciprocating natural gas (and other gasses) compressors, is also located in Mount Vernon. Its history is tied to that of [[Cooper Industries]] in that Jim Buchwald, one of the founders of Ariel, was a former engineer for Cooper Industries Mount Vernon.

Two universities in Mount Vernon and nearby [[Gambier, Ohio]] provide hundreds of jobs to the local residents. Mount Vernon is home to [[Mount Vernon Nazarene University]] and Gambier is home to [[Kenyon College]].

==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
* [[Kenyon College]] (located in nearby [[Gambier, Ohio|Gambier]])
* [[Mount Vernon Nazarene University]]
* [[Central Ohio Technical College]]

===High schools===
* [[Mount Vernon High School (Ohio)]]
* [[Knox County Career Center]]

==Notable people==
* [[Johnny Appleseed]] (John Chapman), pioneer and folkloric figure
* [[Eldad Cicero Camp]], coal tycoon
* [[Fred Dailey]], State of Ohio Agriculture Director and US Congressional candidate
* [[Wild Men of Borneo|Hiram and Barney Davis]], two dwarf brothers and side-show performers
* [[Columbus Delano]], [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician and lawyer
* [[Dan Emmett|Daniel Decatur Emmett]], composer of "[[Dixie (song)|Dixie]]", Early Blackface performer
* [[Lansford Hastings]], [[California]] [[American pioneer|pioneer]]
* [[Rob Kelly (American football)|Rob Kelly]], NFL football player
*Archbishop [[Jean-Baptiste Lamy]], the first Archbishop of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], served as a missionary priest to Northern Ohio and established the Catholic church in the city.
* [[Paul Lynde]], comedian and actor
* [[Stephen Markley]], journalist and author
* [[Chris McLernon]], musician and actor
* [[George W. Morgan]], general and U.S. Congressman
* [[Juan Manuel García Passalacqua]], Puerto Rican politician and television personality
* [[Ellamae Simmons]], first African American woman to specialize in asthma, allergy, and immunology in the United States.
* [[Ralph W. Sockman]], clergyman, author, and radio speaker
* [[Joan Steinbrenner]], wife of [[New York Yankees]] owner, [[George Steinbrenner]]
* [[Jim Stillwagon]], American football player
* [[Jesse B. Thomas]], first senator of [[Illinois]] and proposer of the [[Missouri Compromise]]
* [[Jason Wolfe (racing driver)|Jason Wolfe]], racing driver

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.mountvernonohio.org/ City website]
* [http://www.mountvernonnews.com/ Mount Vernon News], a newspaper based in Mt. Vernon
* [http://www.knoxpages.com Knox Pages]

{{Knox County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1805]]
[[Category:County seats in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Knox County, Ohio]]
[[Category:1805 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]