Jefferson County, IL - 2003 Community Profile

Welcome to Jefferson County and Mt. Vernon! It does not take long to figure out why, in 2002, Mt. Vernon received the Governor’s Hometown Award for the second time. The community’s unique commitment to the arts, education and urban development makes people stand up and take notice. With a population of over 40,000 people, Jefferson County is the perfect size for anyone looking for an area with both a larger population and hometown spirit.

Education is the cornerstone of our community. The Mt. Vernon City School District completed a $10 million, state-of-the-art facility for grades K–3 in the fall of 2001. This facility allows for the redistricting of the city so that educational tax dollars go farther and make more of a difference. You will find the city, county and parochial schools to be among the best in the state. Anyone wishing to pursue higher education will find Rend Lake Community College only a short drive away. Located in Ina, Illinois, Rend Lake offers its students a wide variety of educational opportunities.

Jefferson County is home to several large industrial corporations, such as Continental Tire North America and Walgreen’s Distribution Center; many privately owned small businesses; and extensive agriculture, giving the county diverse employment opportunities for its residents.

Jefferson County is home to more than business and industry. Our residents enjoy an excellent cultural atmosphere, brimming with art and music. We pride ourselves on being home to Cedarhurst, the Jefferson County Historical Society and Rend Lake, as well as many more enriching amenities.

With all this and more, it’s easy to see why so many people call Jefferson County home and why, before long, you will want to as well.