Mount Vernon, IL Area Guide

Founded in 1817 by Zadok Casey, Mount Vernon had no road leading to it at the time. Early travelers reached the town by following high ground from the north or crossing swamps from the south, a detail that hints at how far the city has come.

The most tangible piece of that past stands near downtown: the 5th District Appellate Court building, constructed in the 1850s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still in active use today. Abraham Lincoln argued cases within its walls before his presidency, and a statue of Lincoln stands on the front lawn. The Jefferson County Historical Village, an outdoor museum open on weekends from May through October, brings the 1800s to life just a short drive away.

Broadway Street serves as Mount Vernon's main commercial spine, and the stretch closer to the interstate offers the broadest range of dining options. Downtown adds its own layer, with restaurants tucked among boutiques in carefully refurbished buildings.

The Granada Theatre, a 1937 landmark renovated in 2019, doubles as an event venue for concerts and gatherings, giving the dining and entertainment district a lively anchor on evenings out.

Getting around Mount Vernon relies primarily on a personal vehicle. Interstates 57 and 64 intersect directly in the city, and IL Route 15 also runs through the area, making regional travel straightforward in most directions.

For those who prefer not to drive, the South Central Illinois Mass Transit District operates bus routes within Mount Vernon and connects to nearby communities. Regional air travel is available at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, about 40 miles south, with service to Chicago. St. Louis Lambert International Airport, roughly 90 miles away, offers a full range of commercial flights.

Veterans Memorial Park, also called Mount Vernon City Park, packs a lot into one green space. A walking path circles a small lake, and courts for basketball and tennis sit alongside a disc golf course. Summer brings the Aquatic Zoo water park to life, featuring two 250-foot slides and a lazy river, welcome relief during Southern Illinois's warm, humid months.

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area lies about 11 miles from the city center, roughly a 23-minute drive, and offers a broader canvas for outdoor recreation beyond town.

Renting in Mount Vernon runs well below the Illinois state average. One-bedroom apartments average around $960 per month, compared to a statewide average closer to $1,737, placing Mount Vernon among the more affordable rental markets in Illinois. Two-bedroom units average around $1,147 per month, and three-bedroom options come in near $1,443. The median household income in the city is $46,012.

Downtown Mount Vernon has seen steady reinvestment, with older buildings refurbished to house clothing stores, hardware shops, and boutiques along the main commercial corridors. The Granada Theatre anchors one end of the activity, while the surrounding blocks offer a walkable stretch of local retail.

For larger shopping trips, Park Plaza Shopping Center is less than a quarter mile from the city center, and both Times Square Marketplace and King City Square are roughly a six-minute drive away. Each month from May through September, the second Saturday brings Market Days to Veterans Memorial Park, an outdoor vendor fair with crafts and goods from area sellers.

Mount Vernon anchors Southern Illinois life with an affordable rental market, a nationally recognized historic courthouse where Lincoln once argued cases, year-round events at Veterans Memorial Park, and quick interstate access to both St. Louis and the broader region.