Chardon, Ohio | |
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| Motto: "Home of the Geauga County Maple Festival" | |
 Interactive map of Chardon, Ohio | |
  Chardon  Chardon | |
| Coordinates:41°34′47″N81°12′25″W / 41.57972°N 81.20694°W /41.57972; -81.20694[4] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Geauga |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Mayor | Christopher Grau[1] |
| • Vice Mayor | Heather Means[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.42 sq mi (11.46 km2) |
| • Land | 4.39 sq mi (11.37 km2) |
| • Water | 0.035 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,240 ft (380 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,242 |
• Estimate (2023)[3] | 5,239 |
| • Density | 1,193.8/sq mi (460.93/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 44024 |
| Area codes | 440 and436 |
| FIPS code | 39-13554[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397604[4] |
| Website | cityofchardon.gov |
Chardon is a city inGeauga County, Ohio, United States, and itscounty seat.[6][7] The population was 5,242 at the2020 census.[8] Chardon is located about 10 mi (16 km) south ofLake Erie within the "snow belt" of theGreat Lakes and is part of theCleveland metropolitan area. It is the only incorporated city in Geauga County and includes land that was once part ofChardon,Hambden andMunson townships.[9]
Chardon is named afterPeter Chardon Brooks, who donated land to buildChardon Square.[8]Chardon Township celebrates its incorporation in 1812, and thus the City of Chardon does the same.[10]
On July 24–25, 1868, a large fire destroyed the center of uptown, the area now known as Chardon Square. The fire originated in the Parlin Parkin's grocery store, and spread rapidly. By the time the fire was contained, the courthouse, post office, and many stores on the square were destroyed. Damage was estimated at around $120,000.[11] Chardon Square was quickly rebuilt following the fire. A newcounty courthouse, which still stands today, was completed in 1869. Many other buildings that were constructed after the fire also survive and are used today.[8]
On February 27, 2012, a student fromLake Academy inWilloughby, Ohio opened fire at theChardon High School cafeteria, killing three and injuring two students. Daniel Parmertor, 16 years old, was killed at the time of the shooting. Two other victims, Demetrius Hewlin and Russell King, Jr., were pronounced dead on February 28.[12] The shooter was taken into custody by police and was charged with three counts of aggravated murder. He was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison without parole.[13][14]
Chardon is located onU.S. Route 6 about 15 miles (24 km) east ofCleveland. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.62 square miles (11.97 km2), of which 4.58 square miles (11.86 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) or about 25 acres (10 ha) is water.[15]
With an average annual snowfall of 107 inches (272 cm),[16][17] Chardon is notable for being the snowiest city in Ohio.[18] This is mainly due to its location on a 730-foot (223 m) ridge approximately 10 miles (16 km) inland from Lake Erie, creating the perfect conditions fororographic lift and its associated heavy snowfall when winter winds blow across the lake.[citation needed]
In 1996, from November 9 through November 13, a storm dropped over 70 inches (178 cm) oflake-effect snow in the city over a period of six days.[19][20] GovernorGeorge Voinovich declared a state of emergency as a result, and theOhio National Guard was brought in to assist with the cleanup.[21]
Chardon has ahumid continental climate (Dfb). Summer days are warm to hot while nights remain cool. Summer is also the rainiest time of the year. Winters are moderately long, cold, and very snowy. Precipitation peaks during the month of August.
| Climate data for Chardon, Ohio, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1945–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 70 (21) | 73 (23) | 82 (28) | 88 (31) | 92 (33) | 100 (38) | 98 (37) | 97 (36) | 98 (37) | 87 (31) | 80 (27) | 73 (23) | 100 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 56.6 (13.7) | 58.2 (14.6) | 69.0 (20.6) | 79.7 (26.5) | 85.5 (29.7) | 90.0 (32.2) | 90.9 (32.7) | 89.7 (32.1) | 87.1 (30.6) | 78.3 (25.7) | 67.9 (19.9) | 58.4 (14.7) | 92.2 (33.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 32.5 (0.3) | 35.0 (1.7) | 43.8 (6.6) | 57.6 (14.2) | 68.7 (20.4) | 77.2 (25.1) | 81.0 (27.2) | 79.5 (26.4) | 73.0 (22.8) | 60.8 (16.0) | 48.3 (9.1) | 37.6 (3.1) | 57.9 (14.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 24.6 (−4.1) | 25.8 (−3.4) | 34.0 (1.1) | 46.2 (7.9) | 57.2 (14.0) | 66.2 (19.0) | 70.0 (21.1) | 68.4 (20.2) | 61.9 (16.6) | 50.7 (10.4) | 40.1 (4.5) | 30.8 (−0.7) | 48.0 (8.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 16.8 (−8.4) | 16.5 (−8.6) | 24.2 (−4.3) | 34.8 (1.6) | 45.7 (7.6) | 55.1 (12.8) | 59.1 (15.1) | 57.3 (14.1) | 50.8 (10.4) | 40.6 (4.8) | 31.9 (−0.1) | 24.0 (−4.4) | 38.1 (3.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −5.9 (−21.1) | −4.8 (−20.4) | 3.1 (−16.1) | 21.6 (−5.8) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 40.3 (4.6) | 47.7 (8.7) | 46.3 (7.9) | 38.0 (3.3) | 28.3 (−2.1) | 17.4 (−8.1) | 5.6 (−14.7) | −9.7 (−23.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −23 (−31) | −29 (−34) | −18 (−28) | 5 (−15) | 22 (−6) | 30 (−1) | 38 (3) | 33 (1) | 25 (−4) | 15 (−9) | −2 (−19) | −21 (−29) | −29 (−34) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 4.19 (106) | 3.14 (80) | 3.69 (94) | 4.29 (109) | 4.41 (112) | 4.55 (116) | 4.72 (120) | 4.13 (105) | 4.52 (115) | 4.47 (114) | 4.29 (109) | 4.31 (109) | 50.71 (1,289) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 34.4 (87) | 23.4 (59) | 16.5 (42) | 4.0 (10) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.6 (1.5) | 9.3 (24) | 25.5 (65) | 113.7 (288.5) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 13.4 (34) | 12.2 (31) | 8.7 (22) | 2.1 (5.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.6 (1.5) | 5.6 (14) | 9.8 (25) | 18.6 (47) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 20.0 | 15.6 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 14.1 | 12.7 | 11.4 | 10.7 | 11.2 | 13.8 | 14.9 | 17.6 | 170.1 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 15.0 | 10.9 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.8 | 9.8 | 47.5 |
| Source: NOAA[22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 381 | — | |
| 1840 | 446 | 17.1% | |
| 1850 | 546 | 22.4% | |
| 1860 | 582 | 6.6% | |
| 1870 | 885 | 52.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,081 | 22.1% | |
| 1890 | 1,084 | 0.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,360 | 25.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,542 | 13.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,566 | 1.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,818 | 16.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,001 | 10.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,478 | 23.8% | |
| 1960 | 3,154 | 27.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,991 | 26.5% | |
| 1980 | 4,434 | 11.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,446 | 0.3% | |
| 2000 | 5,156 | 16.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,148 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 5,242 | 1.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 5,239 | [3] | −0.1% |
| Sources:[24][25][26][27][28][29][5][30] | |||
As of thecensus[5] of 2000, there were 5,156 people, 2,147 households, and 1,344 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.1 inhabitants per square mile (432.5/km2). There were 2,271 housing units at an average density of 493.3 per square mile (190.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77%White, 0.43%African American, 0.02%Native American, 0.45%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.10% fromother races, and 1.22% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 2,147 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% weremarried couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,063, and the median income for a family was $57,845. Males had a median income of $44,071 versus $23,750 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $21,845. About 1.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
As of the2020 census, Chardon had a population of 5,242. The median age was 45.5 years; 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 80.7 males age 18 and over.[31]
99.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas.[32]
There were 2,383 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.9% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[31]
There were 2,536 housing units, of which 6.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.1% were owner-occupied and 37.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.6%.[31]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 4,888 | 93.2% |
| Black or African American | 56 | 1.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 3 | 0.1% |
| Asian | 53 | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian andOther Pacific Islander | 1 | <0.1% |
| Some other race | 31 | 0.6% |
| Two or more races | 210 | 4.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 111 | 2.1% |
The median household income was $86,618, with a per capita income of $54,895. Approximately 10.02% of the population were below the poverty line.[34]
As of thecensus[5] of 2010, there were 5,148 people, 2,285 households, and 1,331 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,124.0 inhabitants per square mile (434.0/km2). There were 2,457 housing units at an average density of 536.5 per square mile (207.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9%White, 0.8%Black, 0.2%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.2% fromother races, and 1.3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 2,285 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% weremarried couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.8% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 41.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.1% male and 54.9% female.
Chardon is known for itsmaple syrup industry. Celebration of the syrup season begins at Tapping Sunday in March, when the sap is at prime thawing temperature. The annual Geauga County Maple Festival[35] is a four-day celebration that takes place on the Chardon Square the last weekend in April. The festival has been rescheduled numerous times because of snowstorms in April due to Chardon's location in the “snow belt” of theGreat Lakes; it receives a large amount of snowfall every year.
Chardon has an active performance art community. The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild is housed in the renovated Geauga Theater building, which was constructed in 1939 as an Art Deco movie house. The theater is also being used again to show first-run movies.[36][37]
Greater Chardon features numerous parks and golf courses.Chardon Lakes Golf Course is located in the heart of Chardon, two minutes from the square.Sand Ridge Golf Club in nearbyMunson Township is also an excellent course. Chardon has an abundance of park space. Due to the area's varying weather conditions, sports activities are available for every season.
Chardon and the area surrounding the city are served by theChardon Local School District. The district containsChardon High School, as well as one middle school, and two elementary schools: Park and Munson. Hambden and Maple were no longer elementary schools starting in the 2018–2019 school year. Hambden and Munson elementary are not within the city limits.[38] As of the 2011–2012 school year, the district had received an "Excellent" rating from the State of Ohio Board of Education for eleven consecutive years.[39]
Chardon has a public library, a branch of theGeauga County Public Library.[40]
Municipalities and communities ofGeauga County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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