Amherst, Ohio

Amherst (/ˈæmhərst/)[7] is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. It is located 28 miles (45 km) west of Cleveland. The population was 12,021 at the 2010 census.

See also: Amherst Township, Lorain County, Ohio
Amherst
City
"Sandstone Center of the World"
Nickname(s): 
Hurst
Location of Amherst, Ohio
Location of Amherst in Lorain County
Amherst
Location of Amherst, Ohio
Amherst
Amherst (the United States)
Amherst
Amherst (North America)
Coordinates: 41°24′0″N 82°13′34″W
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyLorain
Government
 • MayorMark Costilow (R)[1]
Area
 • Total7.14 sq mi (18.50 km2)
 • Land7.08 sq mi (18.35 km2)
 • Water0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation689 ft (210 m)
Population
 • Total12,021
 • Estimate 
(2019)[5]
12,219
 • Density1,724.87/sq mi (665.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44001
Area code(s)440
FIPS code39-01798[6]
GNIS feature ID1064320[3]
Websitehttp://www.amherstohio.org/

History
Church Street, looking South in Amherst, Ohio, circa 1910

The original village, which eventually became known as Amherst, was established/founded by pioneer settler Josiah Harris [8] (who relocated to this area about 1818), although the original tiny village was first known only as "Amherst Corners" in the early-1830s. When the village-plat was officially recorded in 1836, it was simply named the "town plat of Amherst", but became "Amherstville" circa-1839, and was later changed to "North Amherst", until finally again simply 'Amherst' in 1909.[8] (The original 1820s postal-name of the village's first post-office was "Plato"; and the village's post-office retained that postal-name into the 1840s, even after the local-government name of the village officially became 'Amherstville' by 1840.)[9]

The village is often said to have had its beginnings as early as 1812, because land which was settled by pioneer Jacob Shupe, in the "Beaver Creek Settlement" (about a mile north of the later village site), was eventually (at a much later time) included into the Amherst city-limits. However, the actual original Josiah Harris village-plat did not encompass Shupe's site (although Shupe's pioneering efforts within the township, which included constructing his own grist-mill/saw-mill and distillery, certainly added to the area's desirability for later pioneers to settle here).[8] By the latter 1800s, Amherst acquired the title Sandstone Center of the World.[upper-alpha 1] Many early buildings are constructed of native sandstone, and the quarries were also an important source of grindstones. There were nine sandstone quarries in the area operating at the peak of production. Cleveland Quarries Company, established in 1868, no longer quarries in Amherst but is still actively quarrying Berea Sandstone.

Geography

Amherst, part of the Greater Cleveland area, is located at 41°24′0″N 82°13′34″W (41.399993, -82.226201).[11] The elevation is 689 feet (210 m) above sea level. Amherst is located 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Lake Erie. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 7.12 square miles (18.4 km2), of which 7.06 square miles (18.3 km2) (or 99.16%) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) (or 0.84%) is water.[12]

Climate

Amherst possesses a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) typical of much of the Central United States, with very warm to hot, humid summers and cold winters with moderate snow.

Amherst is located in Hardiness Zone 6a/6b.[13] A recent trend since the Hardiness rezoning is the discovery that certain tropical plants like the Needle Palm, Chinese Windmill Palm and Fiber Banana trees can grow in Amherst with some protection.

Climate data for Amherst, Ohio
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 34
(1)		 36
(2)		 47
(8)		 58
(14)		 69
(21)		 80
(27)		 84
(29)		 81
(27)		 75
(24)		 65
(18)		 52
(11)		 39
(4)		 60
(16)
Average low °F (°C) 19
(−7)		 21
(−6)		 28
(−2)		 39
(4)		 48
(9)		 58
(14)		 62
(17)		 61
(16)		 55
(13)		 45
(7)		 37
(3)		 25
(−4)		 42
(5)
Average rainfall inches (mm) 2.3
(58)		 2.1
(53)		 2.7
(69)		 3.3
(84)		 3.5
(89)		 3.9
(99)		 3.7
(94)		 3.6
(91)		 3.3
(84)		 2.5
(64)		 3.1
(79)		 2.7
(69)		 36.7
(930)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 13.2
(34)		 11.8
(30)		 7.0
(18)		 1.1
(2.8)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 3.0
(7.6)		 11.0
(28)		 45.0
(114)
Source: [14]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18801,542—
18901,6486.9%
19001,7586.7%
19102,10619.8%
19202,48518.0%
19302,84414.4%
19402,8961.8%
19503,54222.3%
19606,75090.6%
19709,90246.7%
198010,6207.3%
199010,332−2.7%
200011,79714.2%
201012,0211.9%
Est. 201912,219[5]1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

2010 census

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 12,021 people, 4,772 households, and 3,463 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,702.7 inhabitants per square mile (657.4/km2). There were 5,031 housing units at an average density of 712.6 per square mile (275.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population.

There were 4,772 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 45 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.7% were from 25 to 44; 32.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 11,797 people, 4,459 households, and 3,388 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,646.1 people per square mile (635.3/km2). There were 4,603 housing units at an average density of 642.3 per square mile (247.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.84% White, 0.53% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.

There were 4,459 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. Twenty-one.six percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,516, and the median income for a family was $57,990. Males had a median income of $47,750 versus $27,880 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,565. About 1.2% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The government in Amherst has traditionally been balanced between the local Democratic and the Republican Parties.

The political makeup of the city is -

  • Democrats: 56.1%
  • Republicans: 43.4%[16]

Since becoming a city in 1960, the political power was balanced until the late 1960s and early 1970s when the Republicans led by Mayor Anthony DePaola dominated until 1983 when Democrat John Jaworski was elected mayor.

The city's leadership currently includes:

Office title Incumbent Political party Term expires
Mayor Mark Costilow Republican 12/31/19
President of Council Jennifer Wasilk Republican 12/31/19
Auditor Derek M. Pittak Republican 12/31/21
Treasurer Richard Ramsey Republican 12/31/21
City Director of Law Anthony R. Pecora Democratic 12/31/19
Safety/Service Director - Appointed John Jeffreys Republican 12/31/19
Council at Large David Janik Democratic 12/31/19
Council at Large Martin Heberling, III Democratic 12/31/19
Council at Large Phil Van Treuren Republican 12/31/19
1st Ward Council Brian Dembinski Democratic 12/31/19
2nd Ward Council Edwin R. Cowger Republican 12/31/19
3rd Ward Council Charles S. Winiarski Republican 12/31/19
4th Ward Council Matthew W. Nahorn Republican 12/31/19

[17]

Transportation
Main Street in Amherst

By far the most common mode of transportation to, from or within Amherst is by car. However the downtown area is walkable. State Route 2 runs west to east through the northern portion of Amherst providing access to downtown Cleveland (38 minutes), its suburbs and Sandusky, Ohio. There are two exit/entrance ramps in the city (Oak Point Road and State Route 58). The Ohio Turnpike also runs west to east along the City's southern border and there is one (exit/entrance) ramp just south of the city in Amherst Township at State Route 58. Parts of the city are also served by the Lorain County Transit system. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) is the nearest International airport; it is located approximately 35 minutes east of the city.

Business

Amherst is home to a Nordson factory that manufactures various products, as well as KTM-Sportmotorcycle America's Corporate office. In the city's scenic downtown section, Ben Franklin's dime store sells many types of fish and aquarium accessories, model cars, puzzles, and the like. Amherst is also home to Ziggy's, a bar and grill that President Obama visited in 2012.

Growth

A recent housing boom has created demand for new retail areas in Amherst. Target has recently opened inside the city limits.

Notable people
  • Amherst, Ohio was the setting for the 2015 film The Bronze

Notes
  1. Nearby Berea, Ohio proclaimed itself "The Grindstone Capital of the World".[10]
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References
  1. "2016 Elected City Officials" (PDF). Lorain County Board of Elections. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "A Pronunciation Guide to Places in Ohio". Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  8. Geo.F., Wright (1916). A standard history of Lorain county, Ohio. Lewis Publishing Co.
  9. directories of U.S.Post-Offices, var.years beginning 1828.
  10. Kucinich, Dennis (2012-09-21). "In Honor of the City of Berea". Congressional Record. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files for Places – Ohio". United States Census. Archived from the original on 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  13. The Arbor Day Foundation. Arborday.org (1999-02-22). Retrieved on 2017-01-25.
  14. "City-Data, Average Climate for Amherst, Ohio". Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. "Amherst Neighborhood Profile on Yahoo! Real Estate - Demographics, Cost of Living & more!". July 26, 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011.
  17. "Amherst, Ohio General Election Guide LorainCounty.com". www.loraincounty.com.
  18. "Ryan Rua Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
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