Clermont, Florida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The current population for Clermont is 22,097 at a 2006 census, making it the largest city in Lake County, Florida. [1]

The Florida Citrus Tower, one of the most venerated landmarks of Central Florida, is located in Clermont. The tower will celebrate its 50th anniversary in December of 2006. [2]

[edit] Geography

Clermont is located at 28°32′51″N, 81°44′58″W (28.547584, -81.749519).^GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.7 km² (11.5 mi²). 27.2 km² (10.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.5 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (8.54%) is water.

Clermont was founded in 1884 and incorporated in 1916. The city is located in south Lake County in rural north central Florida. About 22 miles west of the city of Orlando and 22 miles southeast of the city of Leesburg, the city is located conveniently for most of its residents.

Clermont's population has soared recently as orange groves are converted into subdivisions. Development has prospered in the city, notably the vast amount of new subdivisions and homes. Clermont has also surged in economic growth, attracting big box retail names like Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart and Kohls as well as many smaller establishments. Clermont is noted also for East Ridge HS, the largest school in the county. East Ridge is popular for its well earned academic achievements, and athletic talents. Unfortunately growth has become so rapid, that most of the schools in Clermont, including East Ridge are largely overcrowded (with over 2,500 students). In 2006 the city of Clermont approved a 1.2 million square mall Plaza Collina to be built on State Road 50. The Shopping Center would be the largest in Lake County. Clermont is noted for its natural Hills, which is unusual for central Florida. According to census data 21.5% of residents were born in the Northeast while 18.8% were born in the Midwest. Southerners make up 17.1% of residents. Just 6.5 % of residents were foreign born.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 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.

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 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.

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.