Mount Vernon was developed in the mid 1800s as a refuge for businesses and commuters wanting to escape the high cost of living in New York City. The community was named for George Washington’s estate in Virginia.

Mount Vernon is the most urban part of Westchester County. It is served by three of the county’s busiest parkways which link to New York City - the Cross County Parkway, the Bronx River Parkway, and the Hutchison River Parkway. Mount Vernon has three train stations:  Mount Vernon West, Mount Vernon East and Fleetwood which are all part of the Metro North Railroad.

Mount Vernon has numerous neighborhoods, each with its own unique characteristics, housing choices and amenities. For example, the Fleetwood section of Mount Vernon is an upscale residential and business neighborhood occupying the northwestern corner of the city. Fleetwood is considered by some to be Mount Vernon’s most bustling and vibrant district. It has busy thoroughfares, including the well known Gramatan Avenue, lined with condominiums, local businesses and some of the city’s best boutiques, candy shops, grocery stores and restaurants. Fleetwood is also home to quiet residential areas and several educational facilities.

The city has three high schools, 2 middle schools and 11 elementary schools. Within the city are a number of large and small city parks. The city is home to Wilson Woods Park, a 23-acre county-owned park that features swimming, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and biking for its residents!