Homebuyers choose South Mount Vernon because they want to live in a tight-knit community where family and lifelong friends are just down the street. "A lot of people buy their parents' houses, as a matter of fact," says Realtor Aubrey Snow, who sells homes in the city with Sluss Realty. "It's a safe place to raise a family, and you always run into someone you know." Beyond homes that often sell for less than $200,000, the neighborhood's most apparent benefits are its outdoor amenities and low cost of living. "People move to Mount Vernon because it is an affordable place to live just an hour outside of Columbus," says Matt Starr, Mount Vernon's mayor since 2020. Most residents walk less than a mile to two of the city's popular public green spaces, including the 250-acre Ariel-Foundation Park, the site of a glass factory that supported the city's economy from 1951 until closing in the 1970s. Today, many South Mount Vernon residents work at the multiple car, tractor and motorcycle dealerships in the neighborhood's west end along Harcourt Road.
Explore the landscape of South Mount Vernon with its mix of homes and open spaces.
Road Hog Willy's BBQ in South Mount Vernon offers great barbecue with friendly customer service.
Active living is easy in South Mount Vernon, with abundant options for outdoor fitness.
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Fast food and fine dining
South Mount Vernon offers casual, American cuisine options, while the downtown area, immediately to the north, has finer dining establishments. Just off Harcourt Road, Road Hog Willy's Real Pit Bar-B-Q serves smoked meats with its signature homemade sauce in a rural chic atmosphere. On the neighborhood's northeast corner sits Dutch's Bar & Grill, a dive bar where local bands riff on electric guitars and cold beer flows. From this part of the neighborhood, residents can walk less than a mile to fast-food franchises on sidewalks along Newark Road. That’s also where Southside Diner is, a 1950s-style eatery that's been a Mount Vernon staple for over 30 years. The interior is vibrant with retro-style gas station signs, rock memorabilia and neon lights. "My favorite thing on the menu is the blue-plate special, a diner tradition that we're trying to keep alive," says General Manager Franklin Winter, who has worked there for six years. "In the 1950s and 60s, the blue-plate special was one of the most affordable plates. It's composed of things on the menu that the diner wants to sell faster." Residents browse the open-aired Miller's Farm Market for locally grown produce and baked goods, but most people buy the bulk of their groceries at Baker's IGA, less than a mile down the street from the market. Downtown Mount Vernon is half a mile north, where locals enjoy more restaurants and an assortment of two-to-three-story brick buildings with several local shops. Paragraphs Bookstore, which has been in business for over 28 years, sells a variety of literary, genre and historical novels, as well as nonfiction books. "The employees here curate all the books you see on the shelves," says Maxwell Leaning, manager at Paragraphs Bookstore. "We host author events, and we even partner with Kenyon College to bring in authors from the famous Kenyon Review to put on writing workshops for elementary, middle and high schoolers."
Southside Diner Signage Stuffed French Toast is a staple in the South Mount Vernon community.
The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge offers delicious cocktail options.
Mazza's Famous signature salad is a must try for garlic lovers.
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A park erected from the city's industrial ruins
Mount Vernon's largest and most popular green space is the Ariel-Foundation Park, which is directly north of the neighborhood's residential blocks. People walk to the park to stroll, relax on benches, feed the geese, drop fishing lines and paddle the ponds. Its primary attraction is its scenic terraced hills overlooking the well-maintained ruins of the old Pittsburgh Plate Glass Factory. Among these ruins are sculptures of twisted steel and blue rivers of glass chunks. The Rastin Observation Tower is one of the park's most prominent features. Park visitors climb the spiral staircase coils up this industrial smokestack to get a panoramic view of Knox County. The 250-acre green space also offers winding trails, fields and marshes along the Kokosing River. Mavis Island is in the center of the park and is accessible via strips of land that cradle seven ponds. While the Ariel-Foundation Park is a favorite among nature and history lovers, Lamb Park is a hit among South Mount Vernon's more athletic residents. The neighborhood's residential blocks line Lamb Park, a 5-acre green space that the New Life Church of the Nazarene is currently renovating. Local Little League teams play games at the park's baseball field, and locals use its soccer fields and basketball court. Children have played on the sandlot since the 1950s, but for the past two decades, the baseball field has been in disrepair. That all changed when church volunteers began restoring the baseball field in 2024. While their older siblings play sports, younger children can have fun on the playground, which has multiple playsets and swings. Parkgoers can walk or jog through the park's wooded trails. But for those who desire a longer trek, the Heart of Ohio Trail starts downtown, crosses a bridge over the Kokosing River, passes through Ariel-Foundation Park, then runs along the residential blocks lining Neil Avenue and continues to the Knox-Delaware County line. Cyclists park their cars at 501 Main Street and peddle for dozens of miles past farms, along rivers and through forests. The trail connects to the currently expanding Great American Rail Trail, which will run close to 3,700 miles and connect the coasts.
Just outside South Mount Vernon, Ariel-Foundation Park provides endless outdoor adventure.
Aerial Foundation Park offers a unique outdoor experience near South Mount Vernon.
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A city invested in its housing
There are tree-shaded residential blocks just east of Harcourt Road. Most front yards have gravel driveways, and power lines are seen overhead. The early- to mid-20-century houses offer a mix of attached and unattached garages, and a train track runs through the neighborhood's eastern portion, which creates some noise. Homebuyers can purchase single-bedroom 1950s shotgun cottages for as low as $80,000, and two-bedroom 1930s bungalows sell for as high as $120,000. Ranch-style houses from the 1990s and early 2000s sell for between $180,000 and $220,000. Two-story homes built in the 1910s sell for as low as $110,000, and newly built Modern Farmhouse-style homes sell for as high as $240,000. "There are minimal homes and tons of homebuyers," Snow says. The City of Mount Vernon plans for more housing development near the South Mount Vernon neighborhood along Newark Road. "Liberty Crossing on the south side will be within walking distance of the city's industrial park and will have 470 units of single-family homes, townhomes and apartments," Starr says. "They will attract Intel workers, and 50% of the land will be green space." Intel is investing $28 billion to build two semiconductor plants at the New Albany International Business Park, about 32 miles southwest of Mount Vernon. The city hopes to attract these workers.
South Mount Vernon offers a mix of historic and modern homes, perfect for diverse lifestyles.
From historic homes to modern builds, South Mount Vernon has something for every homeowner.
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Public schools and private colleges
Children often walk to the B Niche-rated Columbia Elementary School, which is within the neighborhood along Columbus Road. Students take buses, or their parents drive them, to Mount Vernon Middle School, about 2 miles to the neighborhood's southeast. The school has a B-minus rating. Next door, Mount Vernon High School has a C-plus Niche rating. "The schools were pretty good, and they made Mount Vernon a nice place to grow up," says Steve Schisler, a lifelong resident who graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2021. Over 1,900 students attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a private Christian school less than two miles away. Kenyon College is just over 6 miles east of the neighborhood. The private liberal arts college is based in the neighboring village of Gambier and has over 1,800 undergraduate students. The school, established in 1824, is home of The Kenyon Review, which has published authors like Flannery O'Connor, Thomas Pynchon and Maya Angelou.
Columbia Elementary School in South Mount Vernon offers a strong foundation for young learners.
South Mount Vernon students attend Mount Vernon High School, known for academic excellence.
South Mount Vernon’s proximity to Mount Vernon Nazarene University makes it ideal for students.
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South Mount Vernon residents enjoy live performances at the historic Woodward Opera House.
Shows at the opera house and evenings at the dragstrip
Entertainment venues and cultural activities are abundant in the nearby downtown area. In the summer, Mount Vernon hosts its monthly First Friday series, where businesses stay open later, and locals are encouraged to wear themed costumes and enjoy food, drink and music. "In Mount Vernon, we don't need much of an excuse to shut down the streets and have a party," Starr says. Also downtown, the YMCA of Mount Vernon hosts summer camps and year-round sports programs. "Our kids love for us to take them to the YMCA swimming pool," says Jay Beaver, a lifelong Mount Vernon resident. "There's always other kids their age for them to play with." On Harcourt Road, the Knox County Historical Society has a collection of old steam engines among its exhibits that showcase the community's industrial past. One fast and loud draw is Pacemakers Dragway Park, less than 2 miles south of the neighborhood via U.S. Route 36. Professional and semi-professional drag racers have burned rubber on the 1National Hot Rod Association-approved track since 1956.
Getting to Columbus and beyond
South Mount Vernon residents do not have access to public transportation from the neighborhood, so they walk along the Heart of Ohio Trail to reach downtown. Commuters take Ohio State Route 229 and Interstate 71 about 53 miles southwest to reach Downtown Columbus. When folks need to catch a flight, they take U.S. Route 36 about 42 miles southwest to John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
South Mount Vernon
South Mount Vernon offers a vibrant community for residents who love to stay active.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Webb,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Rotary Park
Ariel-Foundation Park
Lamb Park
Transit
Airport
John Glenn Columbus International
58 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Mount Vernon
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in South Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon over the last 12 months is $146,422, up 12% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$137,000
Median Single Family Price
$137,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$133
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Median List Price
$137,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
235
Median Year Built
1931
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,211
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Webb,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
925
Median Age
39
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$28,733
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$36,786
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.4%
College Graduates
6.3%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
13/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
