Vernon is a city in Lamar County, Alabama, United States.

It is the largest city in Lamar County as of 2010, and previously held the distinction in 1880 and from 1960 to 1990, falling to 2nd place in 2000 behind Sulligent, but since reclaiming the title.

[4] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km2), all land.

The city of Vernon was originally known as Swayne Courthouse; it was named for the head of the Freedman's Bureau, General Wager Swayne, who served in the Chattahoochee District of the state.

[8] Both before and after the Civil war, the economy of Vernon was based on timber, agriculture, and milling.

After the Civil War, the plantations were sold off to timber interests, which eliminated many jobs.

Since the end of Reconstruction, Vernon has experienced waves of manufacturing with textile factories being introduced in the early 20th century.

[10] At the 2000 census there were 2,143 people in 953 households, including 630 families, in the city.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,921 people, 923 households, and 535 families residing in the city.