Vermilion, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vermilion, Ohio
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Aerial view of Vermilion, Ohio. View is to the north over Lake Erie.
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| Motto(s):
"A Small Town on a Great Lake"
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Location of Vermilion in Greater Cleveland
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 Vermilion, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Vermilion, Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Counties | Lorain, Erie |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.76 sq mi (27.88 km2) |
| • Land | 10.60 sq mi (27.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2) |
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,659 |
| • Density | 1,005.38/sq mi (388.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
44089
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| Area code(s) | 440 |
| FIPS code | 39-79716 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397126 |
Vermilion is a city in Ohio, a state in the United States. It is located on the shores of Lake Erie. The city is split between two counties: Erie and Lorain. In 2020, about 10,659 people lived there.
Vermilion is about 35 miles (56 km) west of Cleveland. It is also 17 miles (27 km) east of Sandusky. The city is part of both the Cleveland and Sandusky metropolitan areas. Its motto is "A Small Town on a Great Lake."
Contents
A Look at Vermilion's Past
Vermilion was first settled in the early 1800s. It officially became a village in 1837. The city got its name from the nearby Vermilion River.
In its early days, Vermilion was a busy place for fishing and small boats. To help ships navigate Lake Erie, the Congress of the United States built the Vermilion Lighthouse in 1847.
Over time, bigger cities nearby grew, and the Vermilion River became too small for large commercial ships. However, recreational boating became very popular. In the early 1900s, Vermilion became known as a fun resort town. Many people came to enjoy its beaches and cottages. Today, most of these old vacation homes are used all year round. Some are still used as summer getaways. Linwood Park is a great example of this history.
In 1960, Vermilion joined with the village of Vermilion-on-the-Lake. This merger made Vermilion a city. It now stretches across both Lorain and Erie Counties.
A local group called Friends of Harbour Town works to bring visitors to Vermilion. They also highlight the city's history as a maritime community. Their slogan is "Harbour Town 1837."
Where is Vermilion?
Vermilion covers a total area of about 10.76 square miles (27.88 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.16 square miles (0.42 square kilometers), is covered by water. This water includes parts of Lake Erie and the Vermilion River.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 801 | — | |
| 1870 | 721 | −10.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,069 | 48.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,184 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,369 | 15.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,436 | 4.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,484 | 3.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,616 | 8.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,214 | 37.0% | |
| 1960 | 4,785 | 116.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,872 | 106.3% | |
| 1980 | 11,012 | 11.5% | |
| 1990 | 11,127 | 1.0% | |
| 2000 | 10,927 | −1.8% | |
| 2010 | 10,594 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 10,659 | 0.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 10,688 | 0.9% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2010, about 10,594 people lived in Vermilion. There were 4,183 households and 3,033 families. The city had about 994 people per square mile (384 per square kilometer).
The average age of people in Vermilion was 43.5 years old. About 22.6% of the people were under 18. Also, 16.8% were 65 years old or older.
Arts and Fun in Vermilion
Vermilion used to be called the "Village of Lake Captains." Many old homes of these captains are still in the Harbour Town Historic District. These homes show different styles, like Victorian and Queen Anne. Since the 1970s, people in Vermilion have worked to keep these historic buildings special.
The Vermilion Lagoons neighborhood is unique. It was one of the first planned communities in the U.S. built right on the water. Construction started there in 1928.
Popular Events
- The Woollybear Festival is a huge event that brings over 150,000 people to Vermilion. It has the longest parade in Ohio!
- The Festival of the Fish is another popular event. It lasts for three days every June.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Vermilion harbor is a great place for outdoor fun. You can find sandy beaches, go boating, or try jet skiing. Canoeing and sailing are also popular. Long ago, building ships was a major business here.
The city has more than 12 parks and facilities. One special place is the Vermilion River Reservation. It includes the Bacon Woods and Mill Hollow areas. These areas are on both sides of the Vermilion River, which flows into Lake Erie. You can find picnic spots and trails to explore in Vermilion's parks.
Learning in Vermilion
The Vermilion School System provides public education for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can also get special training at the EHOVE Career Center.
The Vermilion Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private school. It offers programs to become an electrical technician or learn appliance repair. It also teaches about solving problems in science and business.
For private school options, Lake Ridge Academy is nearby. It offers bus service for Vermilion students. St. Mary's parochial school has been teaching preschool and grades K-6 since 1956.
The Lucy Idol Center helps children and adults with disabilities. Also, Bowling Green State University (Firelands campus) and Lorain County Community College are close by. Both offer college degrees.
The sports teams at Vermilion High School are called the "Sailors."
Famous People from Vermilion
Many interesting people have connections to Vermilion:
- Albert D. Baumhart, Jr. was a member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Phoebe Judson was an American pioneer.
- Allie LaForce was crowned Miss Ohio Teen USA in 2005 and Miss Teen USA in 2005.
- Andy Oliver used to be a pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Lester Allan Pelton invented a special water turbine called the Pelton wheel.
- Sophia Steinbrenner was the president of a large shipping company called Kinsman Transit.
Sister City
Vermilion has a special friendship with a city in France. Its sister city is Paimpol, France.
See also
In Spanish: Vermilion (Ohio) para niños
