Editing Mount Vernon, Washington

{{Short description|County Seat of Skagit County, Washington, United States}}
{{About|the city in Washington State|the former plantation of George Washington|Mount Vernon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Mount Vernon
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = MVWaWaterfront.png
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Downtown Waterfront
| image_flag         = Flag of Mount Vernon, Washington.svg
| image_map          = Skagit_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Mount_Vernon_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Mount Vernon in Washington State
| pushpin_map        = United States
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Mount Vernon in the United States
<!-- Location ----->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
<!-- Government ----->
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = July 5, 1889
<!-- Area ---->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web |title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 32.70
| area_land_km2      = 31.85
| area_water_km2     = 0.84
| area_total_sq_mi   = 12.62
| area_land_sq_mi    = 12.30
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.33
| area_water_percent = 2.46
<!-- Population ----->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 35219
| population_density_km2 = 1105.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 2863.33
| population_metro   = 130696 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|313th]])
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 62966 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|435th]])
| population_est     = 35404
| pop_est_as_of      = 2021
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2021"/>
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| coordinates        = {{coord|48|25|13|N|122|18|42|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 197
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = ZIP codes
| postal_code        = 98273, 98274
| area_code          = [[Area code 360|360]], [[Area code 564|564]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2411183<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411183}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://mountvernonwa.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
| named_for          = [[Mount Vernon]]
}}

'''Mount Vernon''' is the [[county seat]] of and the most populous city in [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. A central location in the [[Skagit Valley|Skagit River Valley]], the city is located {{convert|51|mi|km}} south of the U.S.–Canada border and {{convert|60|mi|km}} north of [[Seattle]]. The population was 35,219 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5347560 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=June 22, 2022}}</ref> making it the 35th [[List of municipalities in Washington|most-populous city in Washington]], with 62,966 people living in its urban area. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-[[Anacortes, Washington]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]], covering most of Skagit County.

Mount Vernon and its surrounding areas is known for its annual [[Skagit Valley Tulip Festival]], which has Mount Vernon host a street fair in downtown once a year,<ref name="Skagit Valley Tulip Festival">{{cite web | url=https://www.visitskagitvalley.com/skagit-valley-tulip-festival/ | title=Skagit Valley Tulip Festival - Official Skagit Valley Tourism Website }}</ref> with millions of [[tulip]]s grown in the [[Skagit Valley]] every year. Between the [[2000 United States census|2000]] and [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Mount Vernon grew by 34.3%, and is a prominent location in Northwestern Washington, connected to neighboring communities via [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] and [[Amtrak]] (with [[Skagit Station]]).

==History==

===Early days===
[[File:Mount Vernon, Washington, in 1880.png|thumb|Mount Vernon in 1880]]
Jasper Gates and Joseph Dwelley first settled on the banks of the [[Skagit River]], where the city of Mount Vernon now lies, in 1870. Later on, Harrison Clothier came to the community in 1877 to teach school and join in business with a former student, E.G. English. They were later recognized as the city's founders and pioneer businessmen. A post office was established in November 1877 with Clothier appointed postmaster. The city was named after [[Mount Vernon]], the plantation estate and resting place of [[George Washington]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Phillips |first=James W. |title=Washington State Place Names |url=https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil |url-access= registration |year=1971 |publisher=University of Washington Press |isbn=0-295-95158-3}}</ref> The two men laid out the city's first plan while the area was still heavily timbered.<ref name="history">''An Illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties : their people, their commerce and their resources : with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington''. Chicago, Illinois: Interstate Publishing Company, 1906. Print.</ref>

Mount Vernon's first industry was logging; camps were set up to log the townsite. The community grew quickly following the loggers, and hotels and saloons opened up along the Skagit River next to English & Clothiers' store. While poised to grow, river access to the community was stymied by a massive and ancient [[log jam]] in the river which prevented large ships from being able to port. Mail carriers instead had to paddle canoes down-stream to nearby [[Skagit City, Washington|Skagit City]] which enjoyed a brief period of prosperity thanks to this obstacle. The mining activity at nearby Ruby Creek spurred growth for a short time in 1880, gaining the city a new hotel, but little else was accomplished when the mines proved to be shallow. More logging operations were established but were not profitable due to the low price of logs at the time. By 1881, Mount Vernon's permanent population was a modest 75.<ref name="history"/>

Growth in the 1880s was steady. In 1882, the Odd Fellows Lodge was established, followed by the first newspaper in 1884, ''The Skagit News''. The first church, [[Baptist]], was also established in 1884 but would not build a permanent building for several years. In November 1884, Mount Vernon's future was secured when it was chosen for the new Skagit County seat, taking the designation from [[La Conner, Washington|La Conner]]. The Odd fellows building, built the following year, served the county's needs until a permanent building was built.<ref name="history"/>

===Railroad and growth into the 20th century===
Mount Vernon's growth was helped by its central location in reference to the mining, logging and farming communities of the eastern and central parts of the county as well as its access to Puget Sound. The only thing it was lacking was a railroad connection to the outside world, especially, [[Everett, Washington|Everett]], [[Seattle]] and [[Vancouver, B.C.]] A committee was appointed in 1889 to negotiate with railroads on line placement. Their efforts paid off when the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] agreed to lay their line through the city. This was completed in 1891. The city was also in the process of convincing the [[Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway]] to come to Mt. Vernon. This deal fell through after the railroad was acquired by [[Northern Pacific Railway]] who chose to lay tracks further east through [[Sedro-Woolley, Washington|Sedro-Woolley]] in 1896.<ref name="history"/>

The railroad's arrival caused great commotion in Mount Vernon, bringing hundreds of new businesses and residents. Mount Vernon was officially incorporated on July 5, 1893. That same year, a large brick courthouse was built on Main street, which still stands today. Due to the area's stable economy, Mount Vernon never boomed in the 1890s like many other speculative settlements in the region, all vying for a railroad terminus. The city experienced its first of many fires in 1891 when several blocks along the waterfront were destroyed. The same year the city's riverfront eroded taking away Front Street and the west side of Main Street.<ref>"The History of Mount Vernon Washington From the City of Mount Vernon 2005 Comprehensive Plan" [http://www.mountvernonwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/845 Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan-June 11, 2008]
 [http://livemountvernon.com/AboutMountVernon/History/tabid/508/Default.aspx Live Mount Vernon website] Retrieved November 30, 2017.</ref> The boost from the railroad's construction quickly replaced these buildings. 1891 also saw the construction of several large civic structures such as a large brick schoolhouse on the hill above the city as well as the Mount Vernon Opera House, designed by Peacock & Dalton.

Growth slowed considerably after the [[Panic of 1893]]. Following a large flood in 1894, the first [[levee|dike]] was built along the Skagit River. Another great fire in 1900 wiped out all of Mount Vernon's original structures including English & Clothiers' store and the Ruby Hotel. Fire would destroy more downtown businesses in 1903. The city finally received a water system in 1902 after a failed attempt in 1894.<ref name="history"/>

===Later events and transportation===
The city again grew in the 1910s when it became the southern terminus for the Bellingham & Skagit Railway's [[interurban]] [[railroad line]], which would carry passengers as well as freight between [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]] and Mount Vernon as well as [[Burlington, Washington|Burlington]] and [[Sedro-Woolley]]. The line opened on August 31, 1912, with passenger trips to Bellingham every two hours during the day and freight operating at night. Mount Vernon business owners soon began pressuring the railway company, since renamed the Pacific Northwest Traction Company, to extend the rails south to connect with the interurban line in [[Everett, Washington|Everett]]. Plagued by a weakening economy, the onset of America's entrance into [[World War I]] in 1917, and numerous [[infrastructure]] failures that led to line closures for months at a time, extension of the interurban was put off indefinitely. The completion of the [[Pacific Highway (US)|Pacific Highway]] between [[Seattle]] and Bellingham in 1920 posed a great threat to the still incomplete interurban line. After a series of accidents and bridge [[Washout (erosion)|wash out]]s, passenger service on the money-losing line was permanently suspended in June 1930.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Wing |first1=Warren W. |title=To Seattle By Trolley |location=Edmonds, Washington |publisher=Pacific Fast Mail |year=1988 |pages=47–65 |isbn=0-915713-16-0}}</ref> In 1969, [[Interstate 5]] was built through downtown, severing it from most of the residential district and opening the farm lands north of the city to urban development, where many of Mount Vernon's downtown businesses moved.

==Culture==
[[Image:Mount Vernon WA 03.jpg|200px|thumb|Lincoln Theatre|left]]
The [[Lincoln Theatre (Washington)|Historic Lincoln Theatre]] on First Street in downtown Mount Vernon was originally built in 1926 as a [[vaudeville]] and silent movie house. Through the early 1980s, the Lincoln was a movie theater showing first-run films and now hosts live theatrical performances and concerts while also showcasing classic, as well as contemporary, movies year-round. The Lincoln is one of only 98 theaters in the United States that still possesses its original [[Wurlitzer]] [[theatre organ]], which is often played prior to a show.<ref>[http://www.lincolntheatre.org/html/our_history.html Historical Information] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108071820/http://www.lincolntheatre.org/html/our_history.html |date=January 8, 2009 }}</ref>

In addition, the [[Skagit Symphony]] resides in the area.<ref name="SSYM-2-22-301web">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=Skagit Symphony - WebSite |url=https://www.skagitsymphony.com |date=March 1, 2023 |work=[[Skagit Symphony]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230909150258/https://www.skagitsymphony.com/ |archivedate=September 9, 2023 |accessdate=September 9, 2023}}</ref>

The city's [[public library]] was relocated to a new multi-use community center that opened in September 2024 at a cost of $56&nbsp;million. The Mount Vernon Library Commons includes meeting spaces, a community center with a commercial kitchen, and a three-story parking garage with 275 stalls. The garage includes the largest municipally-owned electric vehicle [[charging station]] in the United States with 76 stalls and several charging lockers for [[electric bicycle]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapworth |first=Emma |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Ribbon to be snipped Saturday on Mount Vernon Library Commons |url=https://www.djc.com/news/ae/12166074.html |work=[[Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce]] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 29, 2024}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|12.61|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|12.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.31|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=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
Like much of the Pacific Northwest, according to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Mount Vernon falls within a cool dry-summer subtropical zone (Csb), with "cool"-summer Mediterranean characteristics. Other sources classify it as belonging in the marine west coast climate (Köppen ''Cfb'') zone, with cool, wet winters and warm, distinctly drier summers.
{{Weather box
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|location= Mount Vernon (1971–2000)
|Jan high F= 45.7
|Feb high F= 49.5
|Mar high F= 53.4
|Apr high F= 58.1
|May high F= 64.0
|Jun high F= 68.4
|Jul high F= 73.0
|Aug high F= 74.1
|Sep high F= 69.1
|Oct high F= 60.0
|Nov high F= 50.9
|Dec high F= 46.0
|Jan mean F= 39.9
|Feb mean F= 42.7
|Mar mean F= 45.7
|Apr mean F= 49.3
|May mean F= 54.7
|Jun mean F= 58.9
|Jul mean F= 62.3
|Aug mean F= 62.9
|Sep mean F= 58.3
|Oct mean F= 50.9
|Nov mean F= 44.5
|Dec mean F= 40.3
|Jan low F= 34.1
|Feb low F= 35.9
|Mar low F= 37.9
|Apr low F= 40.5
|May low F= 45.4
|Jun low F= 49.4
|Jul low F= 51.5
|Aug low F= 51.6
|Sep low F= 47.5
|Oct low F= 41.8
|Nov low F= 38.1
|Dec low F= 34.6
|Jan precipitation inch= 4.22
|Feb precipitation inch= 2.85
|Mar precipitation inch= 2.81
|Apr precipitation inch= 2.53
|May precipitation inch= 2.42
|Jun precipitation inch= 1.95
|Jul precipitation inch= 1.20
|Aug precipitation inch= 1.34
|Sep precipitation inch= 1.70
|Oct precipitation inch= 2.89
|Nov precipitation inch= 4.83
|Dec precipitation inch= 3.96
|source 1= NOAA (normals, 1971–2000)<ref name=NCDC>{{cite web |url=http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/WAnorm.pdf |title=Climatography of the United States NO.81 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=January 11, 2011 |date=June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809235709/http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/WAnorm.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|date=April 2011}}

==Flood control and waterfront redevelopment==
[[Image:Skagit River sandbagging 2003.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Skagit River]], which flows through Mount Vernon, is prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain in the [[Cascade Range|Cascades]]. In October 2003 the townspeople of Mount Vernon turned out to build a sandbag dike along the river in anticipation of a flood.]]
Since this city was founded, the downtown area of Mount Vernon bordering the [[Skagit River]] has been plagued by flooding, especially during times of heavy rain. Historically, each time the water rose above a certain level, citizens had to work together to build a [[sandbag]] wall stretching six city blocks and as high as {{convert|5|ft|m}}.

In the spring of 2007, the city council authorized the mayor to purchase a mobile [[flood wall]] from Norway-based company [[AquaFence]], the first such flood wall sold in the United States.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Miner |first=Gary |date=March 2023 |title=Norwegian AquaFence Offers Alternative to Sandbags |url=https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuanN0b3Iub3JnL3N0YWJsZS80MTMxMjk5Mg-- |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=[[American Waterworks Association]] |language=en}}</ref> The flood wall is {{convert|4|ft|m}} high and can be assembled in as little as three hours by a handful of volunteers as opposed to the up to 12 hours and hundreds of volunteers required by the traditional sandbag wall.

A permanent flood wall was completed in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flood Warning issued for Mount Vernon Friday as heavy rains take their toll |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/mount-vernon-prepares-for-flood-season-as-heavy-rains-move-in/281-eb04fd90-f512-47c5-91ae-f35c715d68f6 |last=Lafferty |first=Kaila |date=October 28, 2021 |publisher=[[KING-TV]] |access-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref>

After adequate [[flood control]] is in place, a Citizens' Advisory Committee plans to enhance the city's use of the [[revetment]], which is currently used mostly for parking and a seasonal [[farmer's market]].<ref>[http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/today_is_last_hurrah_for_hospital_farmers_market/]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> Current{{When|date=September 2024}} plans call for a promenade with condos or mixed-use development facing the river. A two- or three-story parking garage is planned to replace the revetment parking lost due to development.<ref>[http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/council_to_discuss_garage_design_funding/]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> During Thanksgiving 2017 the city, as well as [[Lyman, Washington|Lyman]] and Hamilton, experienced flooding;<ref>Boer, Katie. (November 24, 2017). "Highest river level in decades puts Mt. Vernon's nearly complete floodwall to the test". [http://q13fox.com/2017/11/24/highest-river-level-in-decades-puts-mt-vernons-nearly-complete-flood-wall-to-the-test/ Q13 Fox website] Retrieved November 30, 2017.</ref> and again on November 15, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=S |first1=Jane |last2=ers |date=November 16, 2021 |title=RECOMMENDED EVACUATION 11/15/2021 |url=https://skagitbreaking.com/2021/11/15/recommended-evacuation-11-15-2021/|access-date=November 23, 2021 |website=Skagit Breaking: Community News |language=en}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Mount Vernon's main transportation hub is [[Skagit Station]], built in 2004, which is served by [[Amtrak]] and bus operators.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ellison |first=Bruce |date=September 16, 2004 |title=Skagit Station offers hope for renewal |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/11161148.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |accessdate=September 29, 2024}}</ref> Commuters and travelers can switch between modes of transportation in downtown Mount Vernon. The station offers stops for [[Skagit Transit]] buses,<ref>{{cite web |title=Skagit Station |url=http://www.skagittransit.org/about-us/skagit-station/ |access-date = April 7, 2018}}</ref> Greyhound bus, [[Amtrak Cascades]] rail and local taxis. Skagit Transit operates a commuter bus to [[Everett Station]] that connects with the [[Sounder commuter rail|Sounder commuter train]] to Seattle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Route 90X |url=https://www.skagittransit.org/90x/ |publisher=Skagit Transit |accessdate=September 29, 2024}}</ref>

[[Skagit Regional Airport]], {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} northwest, fills much of the area's [[general aviation]] needs. It has service on two cargo airlines. The closest commercial airport with scheduled passenger service is [[Bellingham International Airport]], {{convert|25|mi|km}} north.

===Major highways===
* [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] runs north–south from the [[United States-Mexico border|Mexican Border]] to the [[Peace Arch]] at the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]], at [[Blaine, Washington]] and to the [[Surrey, British Columbia]] border-crossing. It connects Mount Vernon to [[Seattle]], [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], [[Redding, California|Redding]], [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], [[Los Angeles]] and [[San Diego]].
* [[Washington State Route 9|State Route 9]] runs parallel to [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], linking Mount Vernon with [[Snohomish, Washington|Snohomish]] and [[Arlington, Washington|Arlington]] to the south and [[Sedro-Woolley, Washington|Sedro-Woolley]] and the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] near [[Sumas, Washington|Sumas]] to the north.
* [[Washington State Route 536|State Route 536]] runs from SR 20 into downtown Mount Vernon and Interstate 5.
* [[Washington State Route 538|State Route 538]] runs east–west from Interstate 5 to SR 9 at the Baker Heights neighborhood of Mount Vernon.

==Government and politics==
The City of Mount Vernon is a [[code city]] and uses a [[Mayor–council government|Mayor-Council]] form of government. The Mayor is the [[Chief executive officer|chief executive]] and administrative officer for the City of Mount Vernon and oversees and manages all operations including: Finance, [[City attorney|City Attorney]], Information Services, [[Human resources|Human Resources]], Development Services, [[Library]], [[Public works|Public Works]], Parks and Enrichment Services, Police, and Fire Department. This includes a City staff of 235 full time employees, 56 part time/seasonal employees, and a total City budget of $70 million.<ref name="Mayor">{{cite news |last=Fletcher-Frazer |first=Emma |date=December 23, 2023 |title=Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan takes oath of office, celebrates outgoing Mayor Jill Boudreau |url=https://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/mount-vernon-mayor-peter-donovan-takes-oath-of-office-celebrates-outgoing-mayor-jill-boudreau/article_a355b5d8-a1be-11ee-80e8-171ab1251146.html |work=Skagit Valley Herald |access-date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> The [[Direct election|directly elected]] mayor serves a four-year term, with the next [[Elections in Washington (state)|election]] being set to occur on November 4, 2027. Six of the seven [[city council]] members are elected by the three [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|wards]] of Mount Vernon for [[Staggered elections|staggered]] four-year terms. The seventh council member is elected [[at-large]] every two years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mountvernonwa.gov/98/City-Council |title=City Council &#124; Mount Vernon, WA - Official Website}}</ref> Incumbent Mayor of Mount Vernon Peter Donovan started his first term on December 23, 2023, succeeding three-term mayor Jill Boudreau.<ref name="Mayor"/>

Mount Vernon is represented by Representative [[Rick Larsen]] (D) in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] representing the state's [[Washington's 2nd congressional district|2nd]] district, and represented in [[Washington State Legislature|Olympia]] by the [[Washington's 40th legislative district|40th]], [[Washington's 39th legislative district|39th]], and [[Washington's 10th legislative district|10th]] districts.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 770
|1900= 1120
|1910= 2381
|1920= 3341
|1930= 3690
|1940= 4278
|1950= 5230
|1960= 7921
|1970= 8804
|1980= 13009
|1990= 17647
|2000= 26232
|2010= 31743
|2020= 35219
|estyear=2021
|estimate=35404
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 22, 2022 |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=June 22, 2022}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 24, 2014}}</ref><br />2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

The median income for a household in the city was $53,496.<ref>[http://www.mountvernonchamber.com/members/business_resources/business_stats/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117150354/http://www.mountvernonchamber.com/members/business_resources/business_stats/|date=January 17, 2011}}</ref> Males had a median income of $33,724 versus $27,244 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,041. About 10.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 31,743 people, 11,342 households, and 7,443 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2580.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 12,058 housing units at an average density of {{convert|980.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 72.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 17.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 33.7% of the population.

There were 11,342 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.33.

The median age in the city was 32.3 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 26,232 people, 9,276 households, and 6,205 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,360.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 9,686 housing units at an average density of {{convert|871.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.44% White, 0.73% African American, 1.02% Native American, 2.58% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 17.13% from other races, and 2.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.12% of the population.

There were 9,276 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 29.0% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

==Notable people==
* [[Glenn Beck]], American television and radio host
* [[Cheryl Bentyne]], Grammy Award–winning singer
* [[Winnie Brinks]], majority leader of the [[Michigan Senate]]
* [[Jim Caviezel]], film and television actor
* [[Scott Clements]], professional poker player
* [[Harriet Ball Dunlap]], temperance leader
* [[Don Eldridge]], businessman and politician
* [[R. Garcia y Robertson]], fantasy and [[science fiction]] writer
* [[David Gates]], Singer/songwriter for the 1970s group [[Bread (band)|Bread]]
* [[N. Bruce Hannay]], Vice President of Bell Telephone Laboratories
* [[Mark Hendrickson]], baseball and basketball player
* [[Oscar Jimenez (soccer, born 1989)|Oscar Jimenez]], soccer player for [[Louisville City FC]]
* [[Craig Kelly (snowboarder)|Craig Kelly]], pioneer snowboarder
* [[Kyle Kendrick]], baseball pitcher for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Graham Kerr]], culinary expert, known as "The Galloping Gourmet"
* [[Chad Lindberg]], film and television actor
* [[Ross Mathews]], [[Ross the Intern]] on the Tonight Show
* [[T. J. Oshie]], [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Washington Capitals]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blues.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471698 |title=T.J. Oshie Stats and News}}</ref>
* [[Michael E. Pegram]], owner of the race horse [[Real Quiet]]
* [[Jillian Speer]], musician and singer
* [[Coady Willis]], drummer

==Sister cities==
Mount Vernon has the following [[Town twinning|Sister Cities]], according to the Washington State Lt. Governor's office:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060929011931/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ Washington State Lt. Governor's list of Washington Sister Cities]</ref>

* {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Chilliwack]], [[British Columbia]], Canada

==See also==
* [[Skagit City, Washington|Skagit City]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Mount Vernon (Washington)}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.ci.mount-vernon.wa.us/ City website]
* [http://www.tulipfestival.org Mount Vernon's annual Tulip Festival]
* [http://www.lincolntheatre.org Lincoln Theater]

{{Washington}}
{{Skagit County, Washington}}
{{Seattle Metro}}
{{Washington (state) county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mount Vernon, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Skagit County, Washington]]
[[Category:County seats in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Washington Territory]]