Benefits of Living in Mount Vernon and Working at Skagit Regional Health

Skagit Regional Health’s 137-bed Skagit Valley Hospital is located in Mount Vernon, Washington, the largest city in Skagit County. With a population of about 35,000, Mount Vernon is located just off Interstate 5 between Bellingham to the north and Everett to the south. Mount Vernon is also closely tied with two neighboring towns, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley, offering more great options to live and work with a very short commute.

To the east is the breathtaking North Cascade mountain range and to the west is the panoramic Skagit River Delta that leads out to the Pacific Ocean. Mount Vernon is perfectly nestled between these two natural wonders of Northwest Washington.

Skagit Regional Health gives you the opportunity to work at a health system that is a leader in the region. Living in Mount Vernon, and any of the neighboring towns, gives you the opportunity to live in an outstanding location.

Housing and Real Estate in Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon offers desirable and affordable housing and real estate choices for you and your family in 14 distinct neighborhoods. The median price of a home in Mount Vernon is $335,000 or 18 percent less than the median for the entire state of Washington. The median household income is $51,068 with 55% of our residents owning their own home. If renting is preferred, the median rent for an apartment or condominium is $952 a month.

Transportation and Commuting in and around Mount Vernon

Transportation in and around Mount Vernon is easy no matter where you live. With easy access to I-5 and public transportation, the average commute to work is easy, whether you work in Mount Vernon or at another Skagit Regional Health location. Heading out of town? Mount Vernon has an Amtrak train hub and a Greyhound bus hub. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or Sea-Tac, is located 60 miles south in Seattle and the Bellingham Airport is located 30 miles to the north.

Schools and Education in Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon School District is a growing and diverse public school system that employs nearly 900 full- and part-time teachers and staff who serve more than 6,200 students. The public school system in Mount Vernon includes six elementary schools (grades K-5), two middle schools (grades 6-8) and one high school (grades 9-12). The public school system also includes a career and technical academy extension of the high school. There are two private schools here, one for grades pre-K-12 and the other for grades K-8. Neighboring communities like Burlington and Sedro-Woolley also offer outstanding public school options. 

Mount Vernon also features one of the nation’s top-ranked, two-year community colleges, Skagit Valley College.

Parks and Recreation in Mount Vernon

Mountains to the east and rivers and ocean to the west combined with moderate temperatures are all reasons Mount Vernon residents enjoy outdoor activities, year round. Skiing, climbing, camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, sailing, boating and more in pristine natural environments are just minutes out of town.

And if you want to stay in town for your outdoor activities, Mount Vernon has 15 community parks within the city limits along with five walking or running trails and four playfields. Little Mountain, for example, is well known for miles of hiking, running and mountain bike trails, located just two miles from Skagit Valley Hospital.

Business Community and the Economy in Mount Vernon

Business and the local economy in Mount Vernon are booming. The top industries here are education, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture. The top employment sectors here are healthcare, education, construction, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, transportation equipment and hospitality and food services. Skagit Regional Health is Skagit County’s largest employer. Our unemployment rate is lower than the national average and one of the lowest in the state of Washington.