Clermont, Florida

Clermont is a city in Lake County in central Florida, United States, about 22 mi west of Orlando and 22 mi southeast of Leesburg. The population was 43,021 in 2020. The city is residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and tourism-oriented restaurants and bars. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Clermont is home to the 1956 Florida Citrus Tower, one of Florida's early landmarks.

History
Clermont was founded in 1884, and named for the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotnowski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company, formed for land development. The municipality was first officially incorporated as a town from June 9, 1891, to May 25, 1895, when it disbanded and became unincorporated; but it was officially reincorporated as a city on December 28, 1916.

Much of the county initially was developed as orange and other citrus groves, which was the basis of the economy through the mid-20th century. For instance, Apshawa Groves owned and worked large expanses of land in the county. It later became a major real estate company. Tourism also became increasingly important.

The appearance of the historic downtown district has not changed much since 1962. They completed a brick project in 2023, but that did not make it neighboring Winter Garden.

The population grew 208% from 2000 to 2010, with commensurate economic growth, attracting big box retail stores. In Spring 2010, the Clermont Landings shopping center opened, featuring 20 shops and restaurants and the city's first cinema. Increased pollution from runoff and residential development has hurt the city's lakes and other natural resources.

Geography
The approximate coordinates for the City of Clermont is located at 28.54944°N, -81.74806°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 sqmi, of which 10.5 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (8.54%) is water.

The Clermont area lies on the northern part of the Lake Wales Ridge. There are rolling hills atypical of the Florida peninsula. Nearby are the Clermont chain of lakes and Lake Apopka.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Clermont has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 43,021 people, 13,032 households, and 9,179 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 28,742 people, 10,072 households, and 7,377 families residing in the city.

In 2010, the income per capita is $24,952, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $45,980.

The median home value in town is $227,510. Home appreciation was –21.40% during 2009. Renters made up 23.21% of the population. 8.33% of houses and apartments were unoccupied (vacancy rate).

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,333 people, 3,995 households, and 2,736 families residing in the city. The population density was 343.5 /km2. There were 4,368 housing units at an average density of 160.8 /km2. The racial makeup of the city was 83.50% White, 12.08% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.71% of the population.

In 2000, there were 3,995 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.73.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $39,290, and the median income for a family was $48,216. Males had a median income of $36,240 versus $26,571 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,099. About 6.3% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The public school district for the City of Clermont is Lake County Schools.

Public elementary schools

 * Clermont Elementary School
 * Cypress Ridge Elementary School
 * Grassy Lake Elementary
 * Lost Lake Elementary School
 * Minneola Elementary School
 * Pine Ridge Elementary
 * Sawgrass Bay Elementary School

Public middle schools

 * Clermont Middle School
 * East Ridge Middle School
 * Windy Hill Middle School

Public high schools

 * East Ridge High School
 * Lake Minneola High School

Charter school

 * Imagine South Lake Charter School
 * Pinecrest Lakes Academy

Private schools

 * Real Life Christian Academy
 * The Key to Learning

Higher education
Lake-Sumter State College and the University of Central Florida have a joint-use campus in Clermont.

Public library
The Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont is staffed by the Lake-Sumter State College and the Lake County Library System.

A salesman wandered into town in 1904, and spoke promises of donating books to start a library if the town helped him sell his Chautauqua lectures to residents. Many town members with money to spare put forth what they could, excited at the prospect of a library. However, when it came time for the lectures only a few of the speakers showed; no salesman or books were present. Not all money was handed over; the cost for the last lecture was still available, and with that amount they began to organize their own library. This was hosted in the Montrose Street home of Mrs. Payson Pierce, with the collection of books open to the town on Saturday afternoons. Patrons paid 50 cents a year. The Clermont Library Club also hosted their meetings at Pierce's house. The growing collection was moved to Isiah Benson's Lake Avenue house in 1910, then to the Baptist Church the following year.

In the summer of 1914, the Friends of the Library raised $600 to erect a one-room building on 630 DeSoto Street, a lot donated by Alice Cooper. The library was funded by the club and its small circulating collection staffed by Clermont Women's Club volunteers until the city took over in the 1950s and the Cooper Memorial Library Association was formed to administer the public library. In 1980, a former bank building was purchased. A human chain of town volunteers passed the books, hand to hand, from the old to the new location. Mike Delaney, a Friends of the Library member, said, "It was an amazing honor to be part of the early book brigade when I was seven...It was an experience that I will never forget that brought the community together". In 1984, the building was expanded by more than 4,000 square feet, adding the Florida Room and Children's Room. In 1982, the Cooper Memorial Library joined the Lake County Library System, and is the only continuous member of that system.

Places of interest
Downtown Clermont has restaurants, shops, the local Art League, Clermont City Center, and City Hall.

The downtown's western area, known as Historic Village, includes sites such as the Townsend House, home to James and Sallie Townsend, the first African-American couple in Clermont. The building known as "Little Cooper" was moved to the Clermont Historic Village in 2009, and restored to be opened as a museum of local and world history. The Historic Village is maintained by the South Lake County Historical Society and the City of Clermont.

South Lake Hospital is the regional hospital of south Lake County.

The United States Triathlon National Training Center use to be located in Clermont. Duathlons, triathlons and cross country races are held at the facility.

Waterfront Park is located along Lake Minneola, The park includes picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and a playground. There are rentals of paddle boards, kayaks and bicycles. A fitness trail that is part of a 40-mile system runs through the park.

Transportation
The main roads through Clermont consist of State Road 50 and U.S. Route 27.

Additionally, the public transit of LakeXpress serves routes along State Road 50 and South on US 27 towards Four Corners.

Notable people

 * Edmond Amateis, sculptor and educator
 * Dale Barnstable, retired professional basketball player
 * Chimdi Chekwa, former NFL cornerback, former college football player
 * Tra Blake, NFL official
 * Andrew DeClercq, retired professional basketball player and current coach
 * Kate DiCamillo, author of children's books
 * Julie Doe, an unidentified murder victim discovered in Clermont on September 25, 1988
 * Norm Duke, professional bowler on the PBA Tour, member of the PBA Hall of Fame
 * Ryan Dungey, professional motocross racer
 * Jahlane Forbes, soccer player who plays as a |defender
 * Tyson Gay, sprinter
 * Shane Greene, professional baseball player
 * Art Heyman, former professional basketball player
 * Peter Hooten, actor
 * Andy Jones, former NFL wide receiver, former college football at Jacksonville University
 * Mason Lamb, soccer player who plays as a defender for the Cal State Fullerton Titans
 * Brandon Larracuente, actor
 * Kalup Linzy, video and performance artist
 * Greg Lloyd Jr., former NFL linebacker
 * Scott McLean, former NFL football linebacker
 * Marvin Musquin, professional motocross racer who was born on December 30, 1989, in La Reole, France
 * Randy Pedersen, professional bowler on the PBA Tour, member of the PBA Hall of Fame, and bowling announcer
 * Cassidy Rae, actor
 * Rachel Recchia, American television personality who appeared on season 26 of The Bachelor, and co-starred in season 19 of The Bachelorette
 * Stephanie Samedy, professional volleyball player
 * Dean Saunders, American politician
 * Beulah Rebecca Hooks Hannah Tingley, former member of the Democratic National Committee, former Chair of the Democratic Party of Florida, and former member of the National Committee
 * Kaylin Whitney, American track and field athlete, specializing in sprinting events