Mount Vernon, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Mount Vernon, OH

What overall crime grade does Mount Vernon receive, and what does it mean?

Mount Vernon earns an A- overall crime grade, placing it among the safer small cities in Ohio. This grade reflects a crime profile that is meaningfully better than the national average for cities of comparable size. With a population of 16,684 and a population density of 662 residents per square mile, Mount Vernon's relatively low density helps limit the concentration of crime hotspots that often plague more urbanized areas. An A- grade signals that while no city is entirely free of crime, the vast majority of residents go about daily life without incident.

What types of crime are most common in Mount Vernon right now?

Based on the most recent 90-day incident data (through April 16, 2026), theft is by far the dominant crime category, accounting for 46% of all reported incidents — that's roughly 5,117 out of 11,160 total events. Assault follows at 23% (approximately 2,598 incidents), making it the second most reported category. Vandalism represents 9% of incidents (about 995 cases), while burglary accounts for only 3% (314 incidents). Drug offenses and shootings each make up 2% of the total — around 204 and 248 incidents respectively. The takeaway: property-related offenses, particularly theft, drive the bulk of criminal activity in Mount Vernon, while violent crimes like shootings remain a small fraction of the overall picture.

How does Mount Vernon's poverty and unemployment rate affect its crime landscape?

Mount Vernon's poverty rate of 18.5% and unemployment rate of 6.3% are notable economic stressors that research consistently links to elevated property crime. This aligns with the local data: theft at 46% of all incidents is the clearest expression of economic-pressure crime. The median household income of $46,656 and median home value of $121,352 indicate a working-class community where financial strain is real for a significant share of households. Despite these pressures, the city still achieves an A- crime grade, suggesting that community policing, local institutions, and neighborhood cohesion are effective counterweights to economic hardship.

Is Mount Vernon safe to live in compared to similar Ohio cities?

Yes — Mount Vernon's A- crime grade positions it favorably against comparable Ohio small cities. Theft comprises 46% of incidents, which is high in absolute terms but typical for any retail and residential community; more serious offenses like burglary (3%) and shootings (2%) are comparatively rare. Neighborhoods such as Walnut Hill and South Main are known for active community engagement, which research shows correlates with lower crime rates. Residents in well-maintained, association-active neighborhoods tend to experience the city at its safest. For prospective residents, the combination of affordable housing (median rent of $767/month) and an A- safety grade makes Mount Vernon a competitive option in Knox County.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Mount Vernon, and where does crime tend to concentrate?

While granular block-by-block data shifts over time, community reputation and incident mapping consistently point to Walnut Hill and parts of South Main as among Mount Vernon's more stable, lower-crime areas, characterized by active neighborhood associations and well-maintained properties. Crime concentration — particularly the theft incidents that make up 46% of recent reports — tends to cluster around commercial corridors and higher-density residential pockets rather than quieter residential streets. Vandalism (9% of incidents) is more dispersed and often tied to public spaces. Using the interactive crime map on this page, you can filter by incident type and date range to identify current hotspot patterns in real time.

How serious is the assault rate in Mount Vernon?

Assault accounts for 23% of recent incidents — approximately 2,598 reported cases in the last 90 days — making it the second most common crime category. It's important to note that assault as a legal category spans a wide spectrum, from domestic disputes and minor altercations to more serious physical confrontations. The shooting category, which represents the most severe form of violent crime, sits at just 2% of total incidents (roughly 248 cases). While no assault figure should be dismissed, the relatively low shooting rate and the city's overall A- grade suggest that the most dangerous forms of violence remain uncommon in Mount Vernon relative to peer cities.

What should I do if I witness or experience a crime in Mount Vernon?

Report any crime or suspicious activity directly to the Mount Vernon Police Department via their official contact page or by calling 911 for emergencies. For non-emergency incidents — particularly the property crimes like theft and vandalism that dominate Mount Vernon's incident log — use the non-emergency line so officers can document the report and update crime mapping data. Timely reporting is especially important for theft (46% of incidents) and vandalism (9%), as patterns help police allocate patrols more effectively. You can also engage with neighborhood watch programs in areas like Walnut Hill and South Main to stay connected with community safety efforts.