Mount Vernon, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Vernon, Indiana
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| City of Mount Vernon | |
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Location of Mount Vernon in Posey County, Indiana.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| County | Posey |
| Township | Black |
| Founded | 1816 |
| Incorporated | 1832 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.92 sq mi (7.56 km2) |
| • Land | 2.88 sq mi (7.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) 1.75% |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,493 |
| • Density | 2,256.08/sq mi (871.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
47620
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| Area code(s) | 812, 930 |
| FIPS code | 18-51732 |
| GNIS feature ID | 439718 |
| Website | http://www.mountvernon.in.gov/ |
Mount Vernon is a city in and the county seat of Posey County, Indiana, United States. Located in the state's far southwestern corner, within 15 miles (24 km) of both the southernmost or westernmost points, it is the westernmost city in the state. The southernmost is Rockport, located along the Ohio River about 40 miles (64 km) to the southeast.
The population was 6,687 at the 2010 census. It is located in Black Township and is part of the Evansville, Indiana, metropolitan area, which had a 2010 population of 358,676.
Contents
Geography
Mount Vernon is located at 37°56′12″N 87°53′56″W / 37.93667°N 87.89889°W (37.936766, -87.898780).
According to the 2010 census, Mount Vernon has a total area of 2.86 square miles (7.41 km2), of which 2.81 square miles (7.28 km2) (or 98.25%) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) (or 1.75%) is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mount Vernon has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
History
Mount Vernon is the county seat and largest city in Posey County, named for General Thomas Posey, Governor of the Indiana Territory, who had the distinction of growing up next door to George Washington at the original Mount Vernon, and who was widely rumoured to be Washington's illegitimate son. The rumors were dismissed by Posey's biographer, John Thornton Posey.
Mount Vernon was originally called McFaddin's Bluff, and under the latter name was platted in 1816. The present name is after George Washington's Mount Vernon. A post office called Mount Vernon has been in operation since 1818.
There are a number of historic sites in Mount Vernon, including the Posey County Courthouse Square, Mount Vernon Downtown Historic District, Welborn Historic District and the William Gonnerman House, all of which have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,120 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,994 | 78.0% | |
| 1870 | 2,880 | 44.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,730 | 29.5% | |
| 1890 | 4,705 | 26.1% | |
| 1900 | 5,132 | 9.1% | |
| 1910 | 5,563 | 8.4% | |
| 1920 | 5,284 | −5.0% | |
| 1930 | 5,035 | −4.7% | |
| 1940 | 5,638 | 12.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,150 | 9.1% | |
| 1960 | 5,970 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 6,770 | 13.4% | |
| 1980 | 7,656 | 13.1% | |
| 1990 | 7,217 | −5.7% | |
| 2000 | 7,478 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 6,687 | −10.6% | |
| 2020 | 6,493 | −2.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,687 people, 2,736 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,379.7 inhabitants per square mile (918.8/km2). There were 3,077 housing units at an average density of 1,095.0 per square mile (422.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 2.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 2,736 households, of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
Transportation
Highways
Indiana State Road 62
Indiana State Road 69
Rail service
- Evansville Western Railway, a short-line railroad serving area industries both in Indiana and Illinois, is headquartered in Mount Vernon.
River port
- Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, a major public riverport, is located just east of Mount Vernon. It began operation in 1976 as Southwind Maritime Center. It is one of three and the largest public port operated by the state of Indiana.
Notable people
- H. Joel Deckard (1942-2016) Born in Vandalia, Illinois, Deckard attended public schools in Mount Vernon, Indiana. He served as member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974 and was later elected to the US House of Representatives, serving from 1979 to 1983.
- Francis C. Green (1835–1905), born and raised in Mt. Vernon, he was a US Army soldier who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1869.
- William Harrow (1822–1871), Union general in the Civil War. Born in Winchester, Kentucky, he lived in Mount Vernon and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery just north of town.
- Alvin P. Hovey (1821–1891), Union general in the Civil War and Governor of Indiana 1889–1891. Born in Mount Vernon and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
- Ann Hovey (1911-2007), born and raised in Mount Vernon, she became an actress, appearing in several B-movies in the 1930s.
- Anna Byford Leonard (1843–?), reformer
- Frederick Charles Leonard (1896–1960), born and raised in Mount Vernon, he became an astronomer and faculty member at the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Thomas Gamble Pitcher (1824–1895), lived in Mount Vernon; he served as a Union general in the Civil War and was an 1845 graduate of the United States Military Academy.
- Richard Sarlls (1839-1915) One of the earliest settlers of Mount Vernon, where he became a grain expert and trader. He also became one of the largest landowners in Posey County.
- William Edward Wilson (1870–1948), born and raised in Mount Vernon, he was a U.S. Representative from Indiana, serving from 1923 to 1925.
See also
In Spanish: Mount Vernon (Indiana) para niños
