Clermont, Florida
City
City of Clermont
Citrus Tower
Motto:  "Choice of Champions"
Location in Lake County and the state of Florida
Clermont Location of Clermont Show map of Florida Clermont Clermont (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 28°32′58″N 81°44′53″W / 28.54944°N 81.74806°W / 28.54944; -81.74806
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Lake
Area [1]
• Total	19.16 sq mi (49.61 km2)
• Land	18.07 sq mi (46.79 km2)
• Water	1.09 sq mi (2.82 km2)
Elevation [2]	141 ft (43 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,021
• Density	2,381.32/sq mi (919.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	34711-34715
Area code	352
FIPS code	12-12925[3]
GNIS feature ID	0280563[2]
Website	http://www.clermontfl.gov/

Clermont is a city in Lake County in central Florida, United States, about 22 miles (35 km) west of Orlando and 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Leesburg. The population was 43,021 in 2020.^[4] 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.^[5]

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.^[6] The city was incorporated in 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. ^[7]

The population grew 207% 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.^[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (30 km²), of which 10.5 square miles (27 km²) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) (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^[9] and Lake Apopka.

Demographics

2000 census

Lake Sunnyside as seen from high above eastbound SR 50, one of many lakes in Clermont.

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 (890.1/mi²). There were 4,368 housing units at an average density of 160.8/km² (416.6/mi²). 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

Local schools include Minneola Elementary School, South Lake Charter Elementary (also known as Imagine Schools at South Lake), Cypress Ridge Elementary School, Lost Lake Elementary, Clermont Elementary School, Clermont Middle School, Windy Hill Middle School, East Ridge Middle School, Lake Minneola High School, East Ridge High School, South Lake High School, Sawgrass Bay Elementary, Pine Ridge Elementary, Real life Christian Academy, Grassy Lake Elementary and Pinecrest Lakes Academy.

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.^[15] 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.^[16]

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.^[17] 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".^[15] 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.

Woman crosses finish line of a 5K run in Clermont's Victory Pointe park.

Places of interest

Downtown Clermont has restaurants, shops, the local Art League, Clermont City Center, and City Hall.^[18] 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.^[19] The Historic Village is maintained by the South Lake County Historical Society and the City of Clermont.^[20]

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 paddleboards, kayaks and bicycles. A fitness trail that is part of a 40-mile system runs through the park.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Clermont has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).

Notable people

• Edmond Amateis, sculptor and educator
• Dale Barnstable, retired professional basketball player
• Jason Couch, professional bowler, member of the PBA Hall of Fame
• Kate DiCamillo, author of children's books^[23]
• Julie Doe, an unidentified murder victim discovered in Clermont on September 25, 1988
• Norm Duke, professional bowler on the PBA Tour, PBA Hall of Famer
• Ryan Dungey, professional motocross racer
• Tyson Gay, sprinter
• Shane Greene, professional baseball player
• Peter Hooten, actor
• Brandon Larracuente, actor
• Marvin Musquin (born December 30, 1989, in La Reole, France), professional motocross racer
• Randy Pedersen, professional bowler on the PBA Tour, PBA Hall of Famer and bowling announcer
• Cassidy Rae, actor
• Bray Wyatt, professional wrestler. Wyatt died in Clermont, Florida in August 2023

Transportation

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

Notes

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Clermont.

• Official website
• http://www.cityofclermontfl.com

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clermont, Florida.