Vermilion, Ohio

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Vermilion, Ohio
City
Aerial view of Vermilion, Ohio. View is to the north over Lake Erie.
Aerial view of Vermilion, Ohio. View is to the north over Lake Erie.
Motto(s): 
"A Small Town on a Great Lake"
Location of Vermilion, Ohio
Location of Vermilion, Ohio
Location of Vermilion in Lorain County
Location of Vermilion in Lorain County
Coordinates: 41°24′29″N 82°19′02″W / 41.40806°N 82.31722°W / 41.40806; -82.31722Coordinates: 41°24′29″N 82°19′02″W / 41.40806°N 82.31722°W / 41.40806; -82.31722
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountiesLorain, Erie
Government
 • MayorJim Forthofer[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total10.75 sq mi (27.83 km2)
 • Land10.58 sq mi (27.41 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation
[4]
594 ft (181 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total10,594
 • Estimate 
(2019)[6]
10,394
 • Density982.05/sq mi (379.17/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44089
Area code(s)440
FIPS code39-79716[5]
GNIS feature ID1049274[4]
Websitewww.vermilion.net
Vermilion river marina

Vermilion is a city in Erie and Lorain counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, on Lake Erie, about 35 miles west of Cleveland and 17 miles east of Sandusky. Its population was 10,594 at the 2010 census.[7] The Lorain County portion of Vermilion is part of the Cleveland–Elyria–Mentor metropolitan statistical area, while the Erie County portion is part of the Sandusky micropolitan statistical area. Both portions, however, are part of the larger Cleveland-Akron-Canton combined ctatistical area.

History[]

Vermilion was initially settled in the early 19th century and incorporated as a village in 1837.[8] The city took its name from the nearby Vermilion River.[9] It developed as a fishing and small-boat harbor. In 1847, the Congress of the United States built the Vermilion Lighthouse to aid navigation on Lake Erie.

As commerce grew in larger nearby cities, the Vermilion River proved inadequate to large commercial traffic. Later, recreational boating became very popular. During the early 20th century, the area became known as a resort community, featuring many beaches and cottages. Most structures were eventually converted to year-round use; many still are used as summer homes or vacation houses. Linwood Park in Vermilion is a good example.

Merging with the nearby village of Vermilion-on-the-Lake in 1960, Vermilion became a city, straddling Lorain and Erie Counties.

A local non-profit group, Friends of Harbour Town, actively promotes tourism and the historical connection to Vermilion's roots as a maritime community, using the slogan "Harbour Town 1837".[10]

Geography[]

Vermilion is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas
41°24′29″N 82°19′02″W / 41.40806°N 82.31722°W / 41.40806; -82.31722 (41.408005, -82.317254).[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.8 sq mi (28.0 km2), of which 0.15 sq mi (0.4 km2), or 1.53%, is covered by water.[7]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860801—
1870721−10.0%
18801,06948.3%
19001,184—
19101,36915.6%
19201,4364.9%
19301,4843.3%
19401,6168.9%
19502,21437.0%
19604,785116.1%
19709,872106.3%
198011,01211.5%
199011,1271.0%
200010,927−1.8%
201010,594−3.0%
2019 (est.)10,394[6]−1.9%
Sources:[12][13][14][15][5]

2010 census[]

As of the census[3] of 2010, 10,594 people, 4,183 households, and 3,033 families were residing in the city. The population density was 993.8/sq mi (383.7/km2). The 4,919 housing units averaged 461.4/sq mi (178.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.8% of the population.

Of the 4,183 households, 30.8% had children under 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were not families; 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 43.5 years; 22.6% of residents were under 18, 7.1% were between 18 and 24, 22.6% were 25 to 44, 31% were 45 to 64, and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census[5] of 2000, 10,927 people, 4,254 households, and 3,113 families were residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 2.8% of the population.

Of the 4,254 households, 32.4% had children under 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were not families. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the age distribution was 25.3% under 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,926, and for a family was $57,311. Males had a median income of $41,269 versus $25,195 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,635. About 4.1% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Living heritage[]

Vermilion was once known as the "Village of Lake Captains", with many beautifully maintained captains' homes in its historic district.[16] The Harbour Town Historic District also features housing styles from the Victorian, Italianate, Arts and Crafts, and Queen Anne eras. The Vermilion River has marina facilities with more than 3,000 boat slips and ramps for easy access to the lake.

The Harbour Town 1837 Historic District located in downtown Vermilion is the focal point for many professional offices, the city administration, the Chamber of Commerce, restaurants, shops, and marinas. Community-wide revitalization efforts have been promoted since the 1970s, encouraging property owners and citizens to retain the unique charm of their businesses and homes while maintaining high standards of care and construction. The Vermilion Lagoons neighborhood, located on the east side of the Vermilion River, is considered one of the first planned residential communities on the water in the country. Construction started in 1928 by Louis A. Wells, a Cleveland contractor, who bought the land.[17]

Recreation[]

The harbor entrance

Sandy beaches, recreational boating, jet skis, canoeing, and sailboats adorn the Vermilion harbor, where shipbuilding was once the major industry. On summer nights, residents and visitors can congregate on the large deck at Main Street Beach to watch boats sail back and forth in front of the Lake Erie sunset and watch the Mystic Belle, a small paddlewheeler, offering rides on the Vermilion River. Children can attend a sail camp, where they learn water safety and sailing. Vermilion is home to many world-renowned sailboat racers.

Vermilion is home to over a dozen parks and facilities,[18] including the Vermilion River Reservation, featuring the Bacon Woods and Mill Hollow areas on each side of the Vermilion River, which runs through the reservation and directly out to Lake Erie. Numerous picnic shelters and over five miles of trails are popular attractions for visiting naturalists.

Cultural attractions[]

The Woollybear Festival is a one-day gathering that draws over 150,000 visitors to Vermilion; it includes the longest parade in Ohio. Most years, the Vermilion High School Band Festival is held the night before the Woollybear Festival. Area high schools and the Vermilion High School Alumni Band take to the field to entertain community members before the next day's parade.

The Festival of the Fish, held each June, is a three-day event, drawing people from Vermilion and the neighboring communities to take part in the Queen and Princess pageant, local talent concerts, parade, and concessions. Historic SummerFare, which features the Antique Craft and Boat Show, brings thousands of boat enthusiasts and aficionados to the harbor to see wooden boats from another era. Historic SummerFare also sponsors Antiques in the Park, the Community Chicken BBQ and Street Dance, and many family activities.

Concerts in the Park, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, occur during July and August each year. The concerts are open to everyone, free of charge, and feature a variety of entertainment from swing music to barbershop quartets. The Vermilion Area Archival Society, established in 2000, collects, stores, and indexes archival materials for research from the Vermilion area and provides assistance, as well as monthly programs, regarding the history and records of the area. "Third Thursdays" during the summer feature dozens of live musical acts stationed outside local shops throughout the downtown area. Vermilion has a wealth of art attractions. There are several art galleries in town that often display local works and hold showings of individual artists.

Schools[]

The Vermilion School System provides public school education for area children from kindergarten through 12th grade, with vocational and professional education opportunities at the EHOVE Career Center. The Vermilion Institute of Technology (VIT)[19] is a private, independent scholars institute involved in teaching and research. VIT delivers certification programs for electrical technicians, appliance repair, and structured innovation and inventive problem solving (TRIZ) for science, engineering, business, healthcare, and government.

Lake Ridge Academy, a private grade school and high school in nearby North Ridgeville, offers daily school bus service for Vermilion students.

St. Mary's[20] parochial school has been serving preschool and grades K-6 since 1956

The Lucy Idol Center, located on the edge of town, offers nonresidential care for disabled children and adults. Bowling Green State University (Firelands campus) and Lorain County Community College, both accredited schools offering four-year and advanced degrees, are located within a 20-minute drive of Vermilion.

Vermilion High School's sports teams are called the "Sailors".

Sister city[]

Vermilion's sister city is Paimpol, France.[21]

Notable people[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Vermilion Ohio Mayor". Vermilion Ohio. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Vermilion city, Ohio". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved March 9, 2016.[dead link]
  8. ^ Williams, William W. (1879). History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio. Press of Leader Printing Company. pp. 444.
  9. ^ Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 137.
  10. ^ http://www.loraincounty.com/directory/display_9996.html
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1910 U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  16. ^ http://www.vermilionohio.org/captains.html
  17. ^ Vermilion Lagoons History
  18. ^ "Parks & Rec - Vermilion Ohio City Website". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  19. ^ http://www.vermilionit.org
  20. ^ "St Mary Catholic School - Vermilion, OH". stmaryschoolvermilion.org. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  21. ^ "Discover Vermilion »". vermilionchamber.net. Retrieved 2017-05-07.

External links[]

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