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Clermont sits in Lake County, about 22 miles west of Orlando, and it is the county’s most populous city. If you are thinking about buying or selling here, it helps to know the story behind the place, because the history still shapes how Clermont looks and feels today.
A short history of Clermont
The area was first home to the Timucua and later the Seminole, with the first settlers arriving in 1853. Clermont itself was founded in 1884 and named for Clermont-Ferrand, the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotnowski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company. It became a city in 1916. For decades, citrus groves drove the local economy, and the Florida Citrus Tower, built in 1956, still takes its name from them. As freezes and suburban growth thinned the groves, the economy shifted toward real estate and services. Clermont has carried two mottos along the way: “The Gem of the Hills” and, since 2014, “Choice of Champions.”
Culture and lifestyle
Life in Clermont centers on the outdoors. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola has a swimming area, fishing piers, a playground, and equipment rentals, and the city is recognized as a bicycle and runner friendly community with the 25.1-mile South Lake Trail. Clermont has also been known for athletic training since 2001, when a national training center opened for Olympic and college athletes. Downtown hosts a farmers market, a Wine Stroll, a Harvest Festival, and Candy Cane Lane, and a downtown waterfront master plan is working to improve public spaces and trails.
Food and dining in Clermont
Clermont’s dining scene blends historic downtown charm with lakefront views. Downtown and Montrose Street are the center of it, with a food hall, craft breweries, and specialty bars in a walkable setting. Local guides name spots such as Root & Branch Bistro + Bar, The Southern on 8th, Crafted Steakhouse, Clermont Brewing Company, and Sun Creek Brewery. Along Lake Minneola, waterfront restaurants like Salt Shack on the Lake and Lake Minneola Tiki Bar & Grill serve seafood and tropical drinks with sunset views. You’ll also find Indian, Latin American, Mexican, Japanese, and Southern kitchens, plus coffee shops and breakfast cafes. Restaurants change over time, but the relaxed, hometown feel is a big part of why people love living here.
Who lives in Clermont
According to the 2020 Census, Clermont had 43,021 residents and a median age of 45.5. About 21.7% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino, and roughly 14% identified with two or more races. Of the city’s 17,114 households, 52.5% were married-couple households. It is a mix of long-time residents, families, retirees, and newcomers from across the country and the world.
Buying, selling, and relocating
Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seller, an investor, or moving to Central Florida from out of state, I’ll help you compare neighborhoods, understand what your home is worth, and handle each step with confidence. I speak Arabic, English, Portuguese, and Spanish, so you can work with me in the language you’re most comfortable with.
I’m Omar Albaba with Coldwell Banker Realty, serving Clermont, Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Dr. Phillips. Call me at (813) 951-7475 or visit omarsellsflorida.com.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census figures, Wikipedia (Clermont, Florida), and Clermont’s downtown history page.
