Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Mount Vernon, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

17,052

Median Agei

Race & Ethnicityi

White

89.4%15,247

Two or More

3.9%660

Hispanic/Latino

3.7%639

Black

1.3%214

Asian

1.2%206

Other

0.5%79

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%6

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%1

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.9%552

High School Diploma

37.8%4,242

Some College (<1 yr)

6.2%696

Some College (1+ yr)

10.4%1,172

Associate's Degree

8.1%907

Bachelor's Degree

14.4%1,617

Master's Degree

5.9%664

Professional Degree

1.5%164

Doctorate

1.8%198

HS or Higher

90.9%

BA or Higher

23.5%

Graduate+

9.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$174,000

Median Renti

$948

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

55.1%3,913

Renter-Occupied

44.9%3,187

Total Units

7,806

Homeownership

55.1%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

3.9%152

$50K–$100K

9.8%384

$100K–$150K

19%742

$150K–$200K

27.6%1,081

$200K–$300K

25.2%985

$300K–$500K

11%432

$500K–$1M

2.1%83

$1M+

1.4%54

Rent Distribution

Under $500

276

$500–$750

506

$750–$1,000

1,006

$1,000–$1,250

724

$1,250–$1,500

396

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.2%14

2010–2019

0.8%62

2000–2009

8.2%643

1990–1999

6.4%500

1980–1989

6.3%495

1970–1979

10.2%798

1960–1969

10.9%847

1950–1959

13.2%1,028

1940–1949

8.3%649

1939 or earlier

35.5%2,770

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

76.8%5,454

Electricity

18.9%1,345

Bottled/LP Gas

2.6%184

No Fuel

0.9%65

Fuel Oil

0.3%19

Wood

0.2%13

Other

0.2%12

Solar

0.1%8

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$53,845

Mean Household Incomei

$70,285

Per Capita Incomei

$29,954

Poverty Ratei

19.9%

Unemploymenti

2.8%

Labor Forcei

8,239

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.7%407

$10K–$15K

6%424

$15K–$20K

4.9%347

$20K–$25K

4.6%329

$25K–$30K

3.9%277

$30K–$35K

3.5%249

$35K–$40K

6.1%433

$40K–$45K

7.2%511

$45K–$50K

4.4%312

$50K–$60K

7.7%544

$60K–$75K

10.6%756

$75K–$100K

17.1%1,214

$100K–$125K

4.9%346

$125K–$150K

4.6%325

$150K–$200K

4.2%300

$200K+

4.6%326

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

582

Residentsi

961

Avg. Tenant Renti

$383/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

13 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers371 homes79% occupied$388/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8209 homes95% occupied$375/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC2 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $53,845/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

85.4%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

12.9%

Low income$27K–$43K/yr

1.1%

Moderate / aboveOver $43K/yr

0.6%

Who Receives This Housing

69.2% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

7.3% of subsidized households are minority

38.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

31% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

7,890

Avg. Commutei

18.4 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

7,999

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

854(6.4% of civilian adults)