Mount Vernon, NY

Located in New York's Westchester County, Mount Vernon is a city that runs parallel to the borough of the Bronx in New York City. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the metropolitan area of New York, largely because of its highly successful industrial businesses. The city took its name from George Washington's estate in Virginia.

Mount Vernon's close proximity to the New York metropolitan area provides easy access to Manhattan and New York's surrounding boroughs. Mount Vernon encompasses 4.4 square miles of land and is home to approximately 68,000 people. The city has a diverse population, which is 60 percent African-American. The city also has a large Brazilian population, as well as a significant West Indian and West African population.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The North Side, the South Side, Mount Vernon Heights and Downtown are the four neighborhoods that divide the city of Mount Vernon.

• The most suburban area of the city, the North Side, features tree-lined streets and a concentration of homes. Fleetwood, Chester Heights, Huntswood, Estate Manor/Aubyn Estates and Oakwood Heights are the five neighborhoods in the area.
• The South Side area includes Parkside, Southside, the West Side and a collection of commercial and industrial businesses. This area has an urban feel and is home to a park and many historic landmarks.
• Mount Vernon Heights is considered the typical Mount Vernon neighborhood and has a highly elevated terrain. The area is home to the Sanford Square section of Sanford Boulevard, a popular area in the city's commercial district.
• The Downtown district encompasses Gramtan Avenue, an area featuring midcentury architecture, City Hall, many office buildings and small specialty stores. The area is also on the verge of major revitalization, as the city has big plans to build the area.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The leading industries in Mount Vernon are educational, health care, social services, and finance and insurance. Mount Vernon has an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent.

Some of the large employers in Mount Vernon include Unitex Textile Rental Services and Zelco. Additionally, Wartburg Adult Care Community and the Mount Vernon Hospital also employ hundreds in their Mount Vernon locations.

COMMUNITIES

• The New York African American Chamber of Commerce: This is a volunteer-based organization designed to meet the needs of the African-American community. The African American Chamber of Commerce services individuals and businesses for commercial, financial, industrial and civic growth.
• Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber of Commerce is an organization designed to promote business growth in Mount Vernon. It provides assistance to businesses in matters pertaining to permits, real estate, zoning and loans.

BEST BETS

• Wilson Woods Park: This is a 23-acre park featuring swimming, hiking, fishing and Hunt's Woods, a stretch of open woods. The park includes many nature trails that are preserved by the county.
• The Ice Hutch: Located on the grounds of Hutchinson Fields, the Ice Hutch is a domed sports complex where ice hockey, golf and tennis can be played. The facility also features many minor league fields and a batting cage.
• Memorial Field: This is a historic municipal stadium with bleacher seating that is now used by the Mount Vernon High School football team. The field is also used for community events, concerts, and tennis, track and various other sporting events.
• Van Cortlandt Park: Encompassing more than 1,000 acres of land, Van Cortlandt Park is New York City's fourth-largest park. It is home to a forested area, playgrounds, a public golf course, a lake, fields and walking trails.
• St. Paul's Church National Historic Site Museum: This is one of New York's oldest parishes. Operated under a cooperative agreement with the Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights at St. Paul's Church, the church is the living history site of an 18th-century stone church that was once used as a Revolutionary War hospital. The site also features a historic cemetery.

EVENTS

• Arts on Third Street Festival: Held in September, Arts on Third Street is an annual festival that features music, arts and crafts vendors, food, a children's play area, and sports demonstrations.
• Outdoor Concert Series: Held in Downtown Mount Vernon from June through August, the Outdoor Concert Series is a free annual event to celebrate the summer through music. Produced by the Department of Recreation, the event features 17 evening performances from popular New York artists.

LOCAL MEDIA

• The Journal News: This newspaper covers national news, sports, entertainment, arts and local news pertaining to the City of Mount Vernon and to New York's Lower Hudson Valley.
• The Mount Vernon Inquirer: Founded in 2004, this online publication is a source of community news, classifieds and events for the City of Mount Vernon and the surrounding communities.

GETTING AROUND

Metro North's Harlem and New Haven Lines service the Mount Vernon area from New York City's Grand Central Station.

The Nos. 2 and 5 trains on New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority subway system have station stops that are close to Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon is also serviced by Westchester County's Bee-Line Bus System.

Finally, Mount Vernon is close to three parkways: the Cross County Parkway, the Bronx River Parkway and the Hutchinson River Parkway.