Clermont, Florida is one of the fastest developing cities both within the Florida state and the whole country. It is situated within the south Lake County at the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 27. Clermont city is endowed with social amenities and various assets making it attractive to families, new industries, educational activities, office expansion, and health-fitness facilities. The city covers an area of 14.8 square miles which is roughly about 30 km2 and is about 8.54% water. Clermont is an open place for business and is also an ideal environment for growing families and an attraction site for tourists. The city’s culture revolves around health, wellness, and fitness.
Within the city, there are several local stores that provide the residents with a wide range of shopping and dining choices. It also brings about plenty sports amenities and waterfront events that are a major source of pride to the city. Within Clermont, there are several housing choices for every income level raging from gated golf course societies, larger estate households, to small and mid-sized single-family units on platted masses. The community of Clermont offers diversity, inclusiveness and civic pride to its residents making it a major destination for people settling in Florida.
Orlando is easily accessible by the people of Clermont as it is about twenty minutes to the east of Clermont. Professional sports teams like Orlando Solar Bears (hockey) and the Orlando Magic (basketball) are easily accessible by Clermont residents. Also available to see is the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center for theatre which attracts several theatre loving personalities. Situated downtown is the Clermont Community Center owned by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce and is available for rent.
Downtown Clermont is situated between State Road 50 and the south shore of Lake Minneola. It offers a range of unique retail shops, restaurants and businesses, not forgetting the Art League, the Clermont Community Center and Clermont City Hall. To the west end of downtown is the Historic Village that acts as a major tourist attraction site.
History
Clermont was established in the year 1884 and its incorporation was in 916. It is situated in south Lake County in the suburban area of central Florida. The city is home to the Florida Citrus tower which is another tourist attraction. It is among the first ever constructed landmarks of Florida and celebrated its 50th anniversary in the year 2006.
Governmental Structure
The city of Clermont, FL just like any other city has its share of elected officials running it. They are a dedicated and focused team of individuals keen on meeting the needs of the city. It is the residents of Clermont who elect these officials to run the city for them. The city is headed by Mayor Harold Turville, Jr. The council members include Rick VanWagner, Timothy Bates and Keith Mullins and the Mayor Pro Tem is Ray Goodgame. The maximum number of terms allowed for any official is two and each term runs for 2 years.
Climate
The city of Clermont, FL, receives over 51 inches of rain per year according to the U.S. climate data 2014. This is above the U.S. average of 37 across all cities. Snowfall in Clermont is 0 inches and it is above the average of 25 inches of snow per year across all cities of the US. Over 236 sunny days are experienced within the city per year. July receives the highest boasting an average of 92 degrees while January gets only 49 degrees the lowest in a year. Comfort index estimated from humidity during the hot periods averages 28 out of 100. Here, the higher the comfort index, the more comfortable. This is lower than the average US comfort index which is at an average of 44 out of 100.
Population and Races
According to the US census data 2008-2012, Clermont, FL has a total population of 28,742. This is a 207.96% increase from the population in the year 2000. The population growth rate of this city is much higher than the state average rate of 17.64% while the national average rate is at 9.71%. The US Census data further suggests the population density to be at1, 813.93 people per square mile. This is also much higher than the state average density of 285.92 people per square mile and further higher than the national average density which is at 81.32 people/sq. mile. According to the US census data 2008-2012, Clermont, FL has a total population of 28,742. This is a 207.96% increase from the population in the year 2000. The population growth rate of Clermont is much higher than the state average rate of 17.64%.It is also higher than the national average rate of 9.71%. The US Census data further suggests the population density to be at1, 813.93 people per square mile. This is more than the state average which is at 285.92 people per square mile and is also more than the national average of 81.32 people per sq. mile. The city has an average of 11,216 households and the average size of a household is 2.54 people.
Whites are the most predominant race within the city with an average of 71.69% of the population. African Americans make up 14.41% of the population with 0.42% Native American, 4.19% Asian, 5.37% from other races, and 3.83% from two or more races.
Housing
Between the years 2008 to 2012, the median price of a house in Clermont has been $191,400. This is higher compared to the state average of $170,800 and the national average of $181,400 respectively. The median house value in the city of Clermont has increased by 68.34% since the year 2000. This growth rate for house prices in Clermont is higher than that of the state which stands at an average of 61.90%. The national house prices stands at an average of 51.67%. The median year for houses build in Clermont is 2002. This is newer than the median year for a houses built within the state which is 1984 and is newer than the median year for a house built within the country which is 1975.
Housing
Between the years 2008 to 2012, the median price of a house in Clermont has been $191,400. This is higher compared to the state average of $170,800 and the national average of $181,400 respectively. The median house value in the city of Clermont has increased by 68.34% since the year 2000. This growth rate for house prices in Clermont is higher than that of the state which stands at an average of 61.90%. The national house prices stands at an average of 51.67%. The median year for houses build in Clermont is 2002. This is newer than the median year for a houses built within the state which is 1984 and is newer than the median year for a house built within the country which is 1975.
Religion
Education
The average level of education in Clermont is higher than that of the state and the nation as a whole. The city is blessed with local education institutions such as Minneola Elementary School, Cypress Ridge Elementary School, South Lake Charter Elementary (also known as Imagine Schools at South Lake), Lost Lake Elementary, Clermont Elementary School, Clermont Middle School, Sawgrass Bay Elementary, South Lake Charter Elementary (also known as Imagine Schools at South Lake), East Ridge High School, Windy Hill Middle School, East Ridge Middle School, South Lake Charter Elementary (also known as Imagine Schools at South Lake), Pine Ridge Elementary, and, Grassy Lake Elementary. The city also has the University of Central Florida and the Lake-Sumter State College with campuses located around it.
Income and Careers
According to US Census data from Clermont between the years 2008 to 2012 suggests that the per capita income of Clermont averages $25,615. This is almost similar to the state average which is $26,451 but it is lower than the national average of $28,051. The median household income of Clermont is at $54,813 showing a significant growth of about 39.51% since 2000. However, the median household income growth rate is much more than the state average rate which is at 21.87% which is more than the national average rate of 26.32%. Averagely, the people of Clermont, FL spend 29.3 minutes on a day commuting to their working stations, which is on a high compared to the state average of 25.8 minutes and the national average of 25.4 minutes respectively.
Work Cited
“Official website of the City of Clermont, FL” Retrieved from
http://www.cityofclermontfl.com Accessed on March 10, 2014
“Population Estimates" (CSV). 2008-2012 Population Estimates. United States Census
Bureau. Retrieved from www.census.gov Accessed on March 10th 2014.
“US Climate data” Retrieved from
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USFL0086 Accessed on March 10th 2014.
