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is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 26,232 at the 2000 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Skagit County. Mount Vernon is known for its annual Tulip Festival. The climate of Skagit County is similar to that of northern France. While many tulips are grown in the Skagit Valley, none are shipped to the European Union, which has strict import-export laws. In 1998 Mount Vernon was rated the #1 "Best Small City in America" by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities.
Jasper Gates and Joseph Dwelley first settled on the banks of the Skagit River, where the City of Mount Vernon now lies, in 1870. Later on, Harrison Clothier came to the community to teach school and join in business with a former student, E.G. English. They were later recognized as the city's founders. Mount Vernon was officially incorporated on July 5, 1893.
The city was named after Mount Vernon, the plantation estate of George Washington.