Clermont County | |
|---|---|
 Clermont Commission Building, Batavia | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°03′N84°09′W / 39.05°N 84.15°W /39.05; -84.15 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | December 6, 1800[1] |
| Named after | Clermont-Ferrand, France |
| Seat | Batavia |
| Largest city | Milford |
| Area | |
• Total | 460 sq mi (1,200 km2) |
| • Land | 452 sq mi (1,170 km2) |
| • Water | 7.7 sq mi (20 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 208,601 |
• Estimate (2021) | 209,642 |
| • Density | 450/sq mi (180/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | http://www.clermontcountyohio.gov/ |
Clermont County, popularly calledClermont (/ˈklɛərmɒnt/CLARE-mont),[2][3][4][5][6][7] is acounty in the U.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 208,601.[8] Ordinanced in 1800 as part of theVirginia Military District, Clermont is Ohio's eighth oldest county, the furthest county west inAppalachian Ohio, and the eleventh oldest county of the formerNorthwest Territory.[9] Clermont County is part of theCincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county isnamed from the French "clear hills or mountain."[10][11]Its county seat isBatavia, while its largest city isMilford.
Clermont's name is borrowed from aprefecture in France notable as the home ofCeltic leaderVercingetorix who led the unifiedGallic resistance toRoman invasion. Clermont connotes "clear mountain," which describes the hills when viewed through the thickOhio Riverfog. During theAge of Discovery, theFrench became the first recorded Europeans to see this land from the Ohio River, though Clermont's population dates to thePaleoindian,Adena,Hopewell, andFort Ancient cultures. TheGatch Site and other sites provide glimpses into what life was like for these people. TheShawnee,Miami,Lenape,Mingo,Odawa,Cherokee, andWyandot each have or had a presence in Clermont.
At its ordinance in 1800 by theCommonwealth of Virginia to reward Virginian military veterans with landbounties, Clermont encompassed twenty-three current Ohio counties and over 4.2 million acres of denseold-growth forest. The firstdeed was issued on February 20, 1796.George Washington owned three parcels of land in Clermont County, whose first capital wasWilliamsburg, founded byWilliam Lytle, and likeMilford, was founded in 1796. A stone dairy house, constructed in 1800, is thought to be the oldest standing building in Clermont. The edifice is located beside Harmony Hill on South Third Street in Williamsburg. Harmony Hill, one of the area's first farms, was built by William Lytle. The lastAmerican Indian village was located two miles south of Marathon in Jackson Township, along the mouth of Grassy Run on the East Fork of the Little Miami River. The site saw the largest frontier battle in Clermont, the Battle of Grassy Run, during which pioneerSimon Kenton clashed with chiefTecumseh on April 10, 1792. The Wyandot lived at this site until 1811. The Bullskin Trail, once a major American Indian trail, runs north and south through Clermont alongOhio Route 133, and was used by frontiersmen Kenton andDaniel Boone on hunting and warfare expeditions. In 1823,New Richmond became the seat, and in 1824, the seat moved toBatavia, the county's current seat. Clermont'sMoscow became the exiled home of French royalty during the early 1800s, including futureKing of FranceLouis-Philippe in 1815 and theMarquis de Lafayette in 1825.[12]Point Pleasant was birthplace and boyhood home of military hero,Union general, and PresidentUlysses S. Grant, born on April 27, 1822.
During the 1800s,antislavery sentiment remained strong.Bethel was the residence ofDemocraticUnited States SenatorThomas Morris who also served three terms in theOhio House of Representatives, asOhio Supreme Court Justice, and four terms in theOhio Senate. His U.S. Senate career lasted from 1833 to 1839, and in1844, Morris was the vice presidential candidate for a third party with the goal of abolishing slavery—approximately sixteen years before the first antislavery Republican president.
Also in 1844, America's first anarchist, philosopher, and inventorJosiah Warren made Clermont the site ofUtopia, anegalitarian haven ofPuritans who espoused the doctrines ofFrançois Marie Charles Fourier.[13] The primitive socialist life at Utopia was later made into a musical at the Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum.[14][15] In 1847, futureOhio GovernorJohn M. Pattison was born nearOwensville. Grant became commander-in-chief of theU.S. Army in theCivil War, during whichJohn Hunt Morgan and hisConfederate raiders invaded Clermont in 1863. Grant waselected the eighteenth president in 1868.
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Clermont's last-standingcovered bridge was built in 1878 on Stonelick Williams Corner Road, near US Route 50; it was renovated in 2014.[16] The Grant birthplace, originally a one-room cabin, continues to welcome visitors and in 1890 was removed from its original location, travelling by boat to be viewed by citizens along various waterways. It was also taken to the 1893Chicago World's Fair before returning to Clermont.
Pattison became the first Clermont Countian elected Governor of Ohio in 1905, Ohio's firstDemocratic governor of the twentieth century. Pattison lived in Milford, and at a time before the influence ofColumbus, governed from his home called thePromont, which was used as the official governor's residence. The mansion, completed in 1865, today is a museum that houses a library and other historical memorabilia. It is located at 906 Main Street, Milford. DemocratHugh Llewellyn Nichols ofBatavia served as32nd Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and became the first Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court in 1914. Orpha Gatch of Milford, the first woman elected to its school board, locally sponsored thecounty LWV, and is the namesake for the club's award given annually at itssuffragistbrunch honoring the recognized volunteerism and leadership qualities.[17] Clermont'sprogressivism created a climate of political independence. Despite recentRepublican prevalence in its offices, heavynonpartisan andunion influences exist. Clermont's growing population as well asenvironmentalism have contributed to this climate.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 460 square miles (1,200 km2), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (1.7%) is water.[18]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 9,965 | — | |
| 1820 | 15,820 | 58.8% | |
| 1830 | 20,466 | 29.4% | |
| 1840 | 23,106 | 12.9% | |
| 1850 | 30,455 | 31.8% | |
| 1860 | 33,034 | 8.5% | |
| 1870 | 34,268 | 3.7% | |
| 1880 | 36,713 | 7.1% | |
| 1890 | 33,553 | −8.6% | |
| 1900 | 31,610 | −5.8% | |
| 1910 | 29,551 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 28,291 | −4.3% | |
| 1930 | 29,786 | 5.3% | |
| 1940 | 34,109 | 14.5% | |
| 1950 | 42,182 | 23.7% | |
| 1960 | 80,530 | 90.9% | |
| 1970 | 95,725 | 18.9% | |
| 1980 | 128,483 | 34.2% | |
| 1990 | 150,187 | 16.9% | |
| 2000 | 177,977 | 18.5% | |
| 2010 | 197,363 | 10.9% | |
| 2020 | 208,601 | 5.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 211,972 | [19] | 1.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[20] 1790–1960[21] 1900–1990[22] 1990–2000[23] 2010-2020[8] | |||
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 197,363 people, 74,828 households, and 53,800 families residing in the county.[24] The population density was 436.5 inhabitants per square mile (168.5/km2). There were 80,656 housing units at an average density of 178.4 per square mile (68.9/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 95.9% white, 1.2% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 34.0% wereGerman, 18.1% wereIrish, 12.0% wereAmerican, and 11.1% wereEnglish.[26]
Of the 74,828 households, 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.1% were non-families, and 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.5 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $58,472 and the median income for a family was $68,485. Males had a median income of $50,204 versus $36,746 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,900. About 6.9% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 177,977 people, 66,013 households, and 49,047 families residing in the county. The population density was 394 inhabitants per square mile (152/km2). There were 69,226 housing units at an average density of 153 per square mile (59/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.13%White, 0.91%African American, 0.19%Native American, 0.63%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.26% fromother races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 32.7% were ofGerman, 16.7%American, 12.0%Irish and 11.0%English ancestry.
There were 66,013 households, out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out, with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,386, and the median income for a family was $57,032. Males had a median income of $40,739 versus $27,613 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,370. About 5.30% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.70% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
Aviation is served by theClermont County Airport. Clermont's newspapers are theClermont Sun, positing historical stories and statistics, and theCommunity Press papers. According to the county's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[28] the top employers in the county are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total Quality Logistics | 2,000 | Union Township |
| 2 | American Modern Insurance Group | 1,207 | Batavia Township |
| 3 | Clermont County | 1,152 | Batavia |
| 4 | Mercy Hospital - Clermont Hospital | 850 | Batavia Township |
| 5 | West Clermont Local School District | 835 | Union Township |
| 6 | Milford Exempted Village School District | 767 | Miami Township |
| 7 | Siemens Digital Industries Software | 750 | Miami Township |
| 8 | Milacron | 662 | Williamsburg Township |
| 9 | L3 Harris Fuzing & Ordnance Systems | 607 | Withamsville |
| 10 | Huhtamaki, Inc. | 500 | Batavia Township |
These buildings may not have been high schools when they were first constructed, but have since become high schools. The building years listed connote the current buildings' initial openings and do not include renovations or additions.[citation needed]
Clermont County has theCincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods[29] and Valley View Nature Preserve, both in Milford,[30] and oversees five parks, threenature preserves, a hiking/biking trail, and severalgreen spaces, encompassing over six-hundred acres.[31] Clermont is the location ofEast Fork State Park andStonelick State Park, and benefits from theClermont Public Libraries.
All of Clermont's elected officeholders, including judges, are members of theRepublican Party.[citation needed]
Clermont'scongressional seat is occupied byBrad Wenstrup, who resides inCincinnati,Hamilton County, Ohio.
The three seats of the Clermont Commission are occupied by Edwin Humphrey, last elected 2016; David Painter, last elected 2016; and Claire B. Corcoran. The commission employs an administrator, Thomas Eigel (as of 2020), to run day-to-day operations of Clermont.
Encompassing all of Clermont, the14th Ohio Senate seat is occupied byTerry Johnson, last elected 2020. Covering northern Clermont, the65th statehouse seat is occupied byJean Schmidt, last elected 2020. Covering southern Clermont, the 66th statehouse seat is occupied byAdam Bird, last elected 2020.
Clermont's elected officers include Debbie Clepper, Recorder; Mark J. Tekulve, Prosecutor; Linda Fraley, Auditor; Robert S. Leahy, Sheriff; Jeremy Evans, Engineer; Paul Kamphaus, Municipal Clerk of Courts; Brian Treon, Coroner; Jeannie Zurmehly, Treasurer; and Barbara Wiedenbein, Common Pleas Clerk of Courts.
The elected Common Pleas Court is occupied by Judge Richard Ferenc, Judge Victor Haddad, Judge Anthony W. Brock, and Judge Kevin Miles. The elected Common Pleas Domestic Relations Court is occupied by Judge Mary Lynne Birck. The elected Municipal Court is occupied by Judge Jesse Kramig, Judge Jason E. Nagel, and Judge Anita M. Bechmann. The elected Probate/Juvenile Court is occupied by Judge James A. Shriver.
Prior to 1912, Clermont County voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections, only voting Republican three times between 1856 and 1912. The county was a bellwether from 1912 to 1936. Starting with the 1940 election, it has become more Republican-leaning, withLyndon B. Johnson being the lone Democrat to win since. Clermont has been visited by recent national ticket candidates from Republicans and Democrats.[32][33][34][35][36]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 76,964 | 67.11% | 36,130 | 31.50% | 1,589 | 1.39% |
| 2020 | 74,570 | 67.36% | 34,092 | 30.79% | 2,048 | 1.85% |
| 2016 | 67,518 | 67.54% | 26,715 | 26.72% | 5,739 | 5.74% |
| 2012 | 64,208 | 66.52% | 30,458 | 31.55% | 1,859 | 1.93% |
| 2008 | 62,559 | 65.35% | 31,611 | 33.02% | 1,564 | 1.63% |
| 2004 | 62,949 | 70.67% | 25,887 | 29.06% | 243 | 0.27% |
| 2000 | 47,129 | 67.45% | 20,927 | 29.95% | 1,821 | 2.61% |
| 1996 | 36,457 | 56.81% | 21,329 | 33.24% | 6,388 | 9.95% |
| 1992 | 32,065 | 49.99% | 17,558 | 27.37% | 14,519 | 22.64% |
| 1988 | 37,417 | 70.49% | 15,352 | 28.92% | 316 | 0.60% |
| 1984 | 35,316 | 74.63% | 11,713 | 24.75% | 290 | 0.61% |
| 1980 | 26,674 | 63.37% | 13,199 | 31.36% | 2,218 | 5.27% |
| 1976 | 19,616 | 55.99% | 14,850 | 42.38% | 571 | 1.63% |
| 1972 | 22,936 | 71.70% | 8,276 | 25.87% | 777 | 2.43% |
| 1968 | 15,299 | 48.04% | 8,859 | 27.82% | 7,691 | 24.15% |
| 1964 | 13,367 | 44.72% | 16,523 | 55.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 18,802 | 61.60% | 11,723 | 38.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 14,914 | 62.30% | 9,026 | 37.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 13,221 | 57.68% | 9,702 | 42.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 8,592 | 50.88% | 8,224 | 48.70% | 71 | 0.42% |
| 1944 | 9,125 | 53.48% | 7,937 | 46.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 9,367 | 51.16% | 8,942 | 48.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 7,608 | 44.05% | 9,204 | 53.29% | 458 | 2.65% |
| 1932 | 7,684 | 46.10% | 8,662 | 51.97% | 321 | 1.93% |
| 1928 | 9,732 | 69.60% | 4,194 | 29.99% | 57 | 0.41% |
| 1924 | 6,867 | 55.18% | 4,544 | 36.51% | 1,034 | 8.31% |
| 1920 | 6,857 | 51.91% | 6,245 | 47.27% | 108 | 0.82% |
| 1916 | 3,549 | 44.76% | 4,247 | 53.56% | 133 | 1.68% |
| 1912 | 2,543 | 33.47% | 3,610 | 47.52% | 1,444 | 19.01% |
| 1908 | 4,137 | 48.91% | 4,150 | 49.07% | 171 | 2.02% |
| 1904 | 4,207 | 53.77% | 3,339 | 42.68% | 278 | 3.55% |
| 1900 | 3,990 | 47.43% | 4,244 | 50.45% | 178 | 2.12% |
| 1896 | 4,272 | 47.36% | 4,672 | 51.80% | 76 | 0.84% |
| 1892 | 3,715 | 45.92% | 4,069 | 50.29% | 307 | 3.79% |
| 1888 | 4,097 | 48.17% | 4,180 | 49.15% | 228 | 2.68% |
| 1884 | 4,242 | 49.26% | 4,193 | 48.69% | 177 | 2.06% |
| 1880 | 4,028 | 46.31% | 4,417 | 50.79% | 252 | 2.90% |
| 1876 | 3,848 | 47.06% | 4,315 | 52.77% | 14 | 0.17% |
| 1872 | 3,408 | 48.20% | 3,658 | 51.73% | 5 | 0.07% |
| 1868 | 3,475 | 49.16% | 3,594 | 50.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 3,316 | 50.02% | 3,314 | 49.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,965 | 46.06% | 3,206 | 49.81% | 266 | 4.13% |
| 1856 | 2,188 | 38.32% | 2,741 | 48.00% | 781 | 13.68% |
Ohio recognizesmunicipalities (villages and cities) andtownships.
Each municipality has an elected-nonpartisancouncil with a designatedmayor. Mayors sometimes preside during mayor's court and have various other roles. Thesemayor-council arrangements pass municipal ordinances.
In 1991, thestate legislature andGeorge Voinovich adopted "Limited Home Rule Townships" as a schism from theOhio Constitution's Municipal Home Rule established in 1912.[38] The alterationdevolved townships which chose limited home rule government[39] to be similar to municipalities but without full home rule, a city code, comprehensive zoning, among a host of other traits.[40] The result is many developed townships which would have sought sharedmunicipal incorporation with cities or villages have not maximizedproperty value and do not have basic support for services andinfrastructure,[41] relying exclusively on reduced state funding—much of which comes from federal investments for roadwork.[42][43][44] The autonomy which was sought has effectively been unable to reserve responsibility for the community and instead outsourced that responsibility to state intervention.
Dissolved villages
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Places adjacent to Clermont County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofClermont County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
| |
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
