Clermont County, Ohio

Clermont County, popularly called Clermont (/ˈklɛərmɒnt/ CLEAR-mont),[2][3][4][5][6][7] is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 208,601.[8] Ordinanced in 1800 as part of the Virginia Military District, Clermont is Ohio's eighth oldest county, the furthest county west in Appalachian Ohio, and the eleventh oldest county of the former Northwest Territory.[9] Clermont County is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is named from the French "clear hills or mountain."[10][11] Its county seat is Batavia, while its largest city is Milford.

Clermont County
County
Clermont Commission Building, Batavia
Clermont Commission Building, Batavia
Official seal of Clermont County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Clermont County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°03′N 84°09′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedDecember 6, 1800[1]
SeatBatavia
Largest cityMilford
Area
 • Total460 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Land452 sq mi (1,170 km2)
 • Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total208,601
 • Estimate 
(2021)
209,642 Increase
 • Density450/sq mi (180/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitehttp://www.clermontcountyohio.gov/

History

Clermont's name is borrowed from a prefecture in France notable as the home of Celtic leader Vercingetorix who led the unified Gallic resistance to Roman invasion. Clermont connotes "clear mountain," which describes the hills when viewed through the thick Ohio River fog. During the Age of Discovery, the French became the first recorded Europeans to see this land from the Ohio River, though Clermont's population dates to the Paleoindian, Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient cultures. The Gatch Site and other sites provide glimpses into what life was like for these people. The Shawnee, Miami, Lenape, Mingo, Odawa, Cherokee, and Wyandot each have or had a presence in Clermont.

At its ordinance in 1800 by the Commonwealth of Virginia to reward Virginian military veterans with land bounties, Clermont encompassed twenty-three current Ohio counties and over 4.2 million acres of dense old-growth forest. The first deed was issued on February 20, 1796. George Washington owned three parcels of land in Clermont County, whose first capital was Williamsburg, founded by William Lytle, and like Milford, 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 last American 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 pioneer Simon Kenton clashed with chief Tecumseh 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 along Ohio Route 133, and was used by frontiersmen Kenton and Daniel Boone on hunting and warfare expeditions. In 1823, New Richmond became the seat, and in 1824, the seat moved to Batavia, the county's current seat. Clermont's Moscow became the exiled home of French royalty during the early 1800s, including future King of France Louis-Philippe in 1815 and the Marquis de Lafayette in 1825.[12] Point Pleasant was birthplace and boyhood home of military hero, Union general, and President Ulysses S. Grant, born on April 27, 1822.

During the 1800s, antislavery sentiment remained strong. Bethel was the residence of Democratic United States Senator Thomas Morris who also served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, as Ohio Supreme Court Justice, and four terms in the Ohio Senate. His U.S. Senate career lasted from 1833 to 1839, and in 1844, 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 inventor Josiah Warren made Clermont the site of Utopia, an egalitarian haven of Puritans who espoused the doctrines of François 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, future Ohio Governor John M. Pattison was born near Owensville. Grant became commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army in the Civil War, during which John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate raiders invaded Clermont in 1863. Grant was elected the eighteenth president in 1868.

Clermont's last-standing covered 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 1893 Chicago World's Fair before returning to Clermont.

Pattison became the first Clermont Countian elected Governor of Ohio in 1905, Ohio's first Democratic governor of the twentieth century. Pattison lived in Milford, and at a time before the influence of Columbus, governed from his home called the Promont, 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. Democrat Hugh Llewellyn Nichols of Batavia served as 32nd 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 the county LWV, and is the namesake for the club's award given annually at its suffragist brunch honoring the recognized volunteerism and leadership qualities.[17] Clermont's progressivism created a climate of political independence. Despite recent Republican prevalence in its offices, heavy nonpartisan and union influences exist. Clermont's growing population as well as environmentalism have contributed to this climate.

Geography
See also: Numbered highways in Ohio

According to the United 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]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18109,965—
182015,82058.8%
183020,46629.4%
184023,10612.9%
185030,45531.8%
186033,0348.5%
187034,2683.7%
188036,7137.1%
189033,553−8.6%
190031,610−5.8%
191029,551−6.5%
192028,291−4.3%
193029,7865.3%
194034,10914.5%
195042,18223.7%
196080,53090.9%
197095,72518.9%
1980128,48334.2%
1990150,18716.9%
2000177,97718.5%
2010197,36310.9%
2020208,6015.7%
2022 (est.)210,805[19]1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790–1960[21] 1900–1990[22]
1990–2000[23] 2010-2020[8]

2010 census

As of the census 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% were German, 18.1% were Irish, 12.0% were American, and 11.1% were English.[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]

2000 census

As of the census 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% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.7% were of German, 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.

Economy

Aviation is served by the Clermont County Airport. Clermont's newspapers are the Clermont Sun, positing historical stories and statistics, and the Community 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

Education

Colleges and high schools in Clermont

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.

Parks and libraries

Clermont County has the Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods[29] and Valley View Nature Preserve, both in Milford,[30] and oversees five parks, three nature preserves, a hiking/biking trail, and several green spaces, encompassing over six-hundred acres.[31] Clermont is the location of East Fork State Park and Stonelick State Park, and benefits from the Clermont Public Libraries.

Politics

All of Clermont's elected officeholders, including judges, are members of the Republican Party.

U.S. House of Representatives
Main article: Ohio's 2nd congressional district

Clermont's congressional seat is occupied by Brad Wenstrup, who resides in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.

Elected Commission
See also: Ohio county government

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.

Ohio Statehouse
Main article: Ohio Legislature

Encompassing all of Clermont, the 14th Ohio Senate seat is occupied by Terry Johnson, last elected 2020. Covering northern Clermont, the 65th statehouse seat is occupied by Jean Schmidt, last elected 2020. Covering southern Clermont, the 66th statehouse seat is occupied by Adam Bird, last elected 2020.

Elected Officers

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.

Elected Judges

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.

National outcomes

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, with Lyndon 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]

United States presidential election results for Clermont County, Ohio[37]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
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%

Communities

Ohio recognizes municipalities (villages and cities) and townships.

Map of Clermont County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Each municipality has an elected-nonpartisan council with a designated mayor. Mayors sometimes preside during mayor's court and have various other roles. These mayor-council arrangements pass municipal ordinances.

In 1991, the state legislature and George Voinovich adopted "Limited Home Rule Townships" as a schism from the Ohio Constitution's Municipal Home Rule established in 1912.[38] The alteration devolved township 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 shared municipal incorporation with cities or villages have not maximized property value and do not have basic support for services and infrastructure,[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.

Cities
  • Loveland (partly in Hamilton and Warren Counties)
  • Milford (partly in Hamilton County)

Villages

Dissolved villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities
  • Amelia Bowdoin's House in Amelia
    Amelia Bowdoin's House in Amelia
  • Goshen at Ohio Rt. 132
    Goshen at Ohio Rt. 132
  • U.S. Grant's Birthplace at Point Pleasant
    U.S. Grant's Birthplace at Point Pleasant
  • Miami Township Civic Center on Meijer Drive
    Miami Township Civic Center on Meijer Drive
  • Main Owensville intersection at US Rt. 50 and Ohio Rt. 132
    Main Owensville intersection at US Rt. 50 and Ohio Rt. 132
  • The Promont in Milford
    The Promont in Milford
  • Stonelick-Williams Corner Covered Bridge near Owensville
    Stonelick-Williams Corner Covered Bridge near Owensville
  • Utopia marker on US Rt. 52
    Utopia marker on US Rt. 52
  • Utopia sign
    Utopia sign
  • Utopia, west on US Rt. 52
    Utopia, west on US Rt. 52
  • West Clermont High School aerial view
    West Clermont High School aerial view

See also

References
  1. "Ohio County Profiles: Clermont County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. "Clermont Chorale". Clermont Chorale. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  3. "Clermont Chamber". Clermont Chamber of ommerce. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  4. "West Clermont Local School District". West Clermont School District. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  5. "Clermont Northeastern Schools". Clermont Northeastern Schools. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  6. "Clermont College". UC Clermont. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  7. "Clermont Seniors". Clermont Senior Services. 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  8. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  9. "Pick Your County Overview". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  10. "Clermont County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  11. "Local History". Clermont County. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  12. Spate House of Moscow, Ohio. Retrieved April 18, 2012. http://www.forgottenoh.com/Counties/Clermont/spate.html Archived November 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  13. The Ohio Politics Almanac, Second Edition. Michael F. Curtin. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  14. "Utopia, Ohio". Hugo West Theatricals. July 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  15. "Musical 'Utopia, Ohio' looks at three real, strange experiments". Movers & Makers Cincinnati. July 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  16. "Clermont covered bridge to reopen soon". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 11, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  17. "Gatch: A Milford First United Methodist Church and music maven". The Cincinnati Enquirer. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  18. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  19. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  20. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  21. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  22. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  23. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  24. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  25. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  26. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  27. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  28. "Clermont County, Ohio Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Year ended December 31, 2021" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  29. "Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods". Cincinnati Nature Center. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  30. "Valley View". Valley View. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  31. "Clermont Parks". Clermont Parks. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  32. "Join Buckeye Firearm Endorsee Sarah Palin For Four Rallies Sunday". Cincinnati Nature Center. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  33. "See Vice President Joe Biden in Milford." Archived January 18, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Obama For America, www.barackobama.com
  34. "VP Joe Biden to make campaign stop in Milford." WXIX Fox19. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  35. "Vice President Joe Biden headed to Milford to campaign." WKRC Local12, September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  36. "Milford prepares for Joe Biden's visit: VP to speak at Milford High School." WLWT NBC News5. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  37. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  38. "Limited Home Rule - Ohio Revised Code Chapter 504" (PDF). Colerain Township. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  39. "Limited Home Rule Townships" (PDF). Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  40. "About Townships – Ohio Limited Home Rule". Ohio Township Association. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  41. "Ohio's roads are rated a 'D.' But who will pay to fix them?". WCPO Cincinnati. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  42. "ODOT: $400 million investment planned for southwest Ohio roads". The Clermont Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  43. "Bipartisan Infrastructure bill set to bring some $20 million in federal funds, and more jobs, to region". The Clermont Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  44. "Mysteriously left off list, Butler County townships still fighting for share of $350 billion stimulus funds". Butler County Journal-News. Retrieved July 22, 2023.

39.05°N 84.15°W / 39.05; -84.15

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