Mount Vernon, OH Homes for Rent

Mount Vernon offers a small-town feel with a strong community spirit, where neighbors frequently gather at city-wide events like the annual Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival. The population of around 16,500 has been steadily growing, partly due to good schools, parks, and internet access. Key employers include Knox Community Hospital, Kenyon College, and Ariel Corporation, with Intel investing $20 billion in nearby Licking County. Housing options range from early 20th-century wood-frame homes near downtown to mid-century ranch styles and early-2000s New Traditional homes further south. The Downtown Mount Vernon Historic District features late 19th-century buildings with entertainment, fine dining, and shops, while the city's northeast corner has fast-food joints and big-box retailers. Parks are concentrated along the Kokosing River, with highlights like the 250-acre Ariel-Foundation Park and Hiawatha Water Park. Community events are held year-round, including fairs, parades, and farmers markets. The Woodward Opera House hosts musical acts and plays. Although Mount Vernon lacks a public bus system, Columbus is 52 miles southwest via Ohio State Route 229 and Interstate 71, with flights available from John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Crime rates are below the state and national average, making it a safer area compared to the national average.