Mount Vernon NY

Mount Vernon, NY at a Glance

The city of Mount Vernon, New York has a unique and variegated character that shifts from urban to suburban as it extends from its border with the Bronx toward the tidy, tree-lined avenues of its northern portion. It is the only municipality in Westchester County that is not majority Caucasian, with African-Americans making up nearly 60% of the demographic according to recent data. While Metro-North Railroad is sometimes thought the dividing line between affluence and urban grit here, Mount Vernon is actually subdivided into four major neighborhoods, and is remarkable for its breadth of cultural and ethnic diversity.

A shopping district called "The Avenue" by Mount Vernon residents in addition to Petrillo Plaza, the City Hall and other government buildings make up Downtown, to east of which lies Mount Vernon Heights, where retail outlets in Sanford Square, a restaurant depot, Colonial Plaza and Hooperstown can be found.

Sharing a border with Wakefield, the South Side neighborhood is the city's most urban area It is home to a trove local landmarks including St. Paul's Church, the Mount Vernon YMCA Family Center, Brush Park, and Hutchinson Field, as well as the now famous Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club, which was credited by Denzel Washington for keeping him on the path to success.

Mount Vernon, NY at a Glance

Though Mount Vernon's priciest properties are located in North Side, the neighborhood is far from homogenous. The neighborhood is itself broken down into five neighborhoods and is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the county.

In addition to scattered internationals, about a tenth of Mount Vernon's population comes from Brazil, with some two-thirds hailing from Pocos de Caldas. The recent growth of that city has largely been fueled by remittances sent from Mount Vernon, and a distinctively Brazilian community has arisen along a portion of West Lincoln Avenue.

With houses of worship representing more than 25 denominations in a city that occupies less than 5 square miles, Mount Vernon is proudly pluralistic. One of its nicknames is "The City that Believes."

The Mount Vernon Public Library ranks as the largest library in Westchester County. It offers an immense catalogue of reading materials as well as free community events such as readings, poetry slams, musical performances, and exhibitions.

Committed to keepings young people away harm and crime, Mount Vernon invests heavily in its youth programs. The Mount Vernon Department of Recreation is responsible for bringing a number of athletic events to the area, and over the years has hosted Olympic tri-state trials and track and field competitions. Baseball is a major part of the city life and Mount Vernon's Memorial Field, or City Field, has been praised as one of the best in New York. Annual tennis tournaments have also taken place here for over half a century, and a wealth of talent has sprung from the courts of The Mount Vernon Basketball Center.

Many successful and inspiring people have come out of Mount Vernon. Author of the popular writing guide, Elements of Style and children's books Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, E.B. White, was born in Mount Vernon, as was rapper DMX, Major League Baseball player Ralph Branca, and television personality Dick Clark.