| Amherst, Ohio | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Lorain |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | David A. Taylor (R) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²) |
| - Land | 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation GR3 | 689 ft (210 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 11,797 |
| - Density | 1,646.1/sq mi (635.6/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 44001 |
| Area code(s) | 440 |
| FIPS code | 39-01798GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1064320GR3 |
Amherst is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is located in Lorain County. The population was 11,797 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
History
The town of Amherst was established by German immigrants between 1811 and 1816. Jacob Shupe was the founder of Amherst. He had the first sawmill, distillery, and gristmill in the Amherst area. Mr. Shupe actually started early industry in the Amherst area. He settled on a high hill near the Beaver Creek, close to the intersection of Cooper Foster Park Road and North Main Street. His house still stands today and is a part of the New Indian Ridge Museum. Soon after being settled, Amherst acquired the title Sandstone Center of the World. 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, still quarries Birmingham Buff Sandstone and Berea Sandstone in Amherst.
Geography
Topography
- Amherst, part of the Greater Cleveland area, is located at (41.399993, -82.226201)GR1.
- The elevation of Amherst is 689ft above sea level.
- Amherst is located 2.5 miles south of Lake Erie.
- According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²), of which, 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Climate
Amherst possesses a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa), typical of much of the central United States, with very warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Politics
Politics in Amherst have traditionally been balanced beteween the local Democratic and the Republican Parties. The political makeup of the city is -
- Democrat: 56.1%
- Republican: 43.4%
- Source - Amherst Profile
Since becoming a city in 1960, the political power was balanced until the late 1960's and early 1970's 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 | David A. Taylor | Republican | 12/31/11 |
| President of Council | John Dietrich | Democrat | 12/31/11 |
| Auditor | David C. Kukucka | Democrat | 12/31/09 |
| Treasurer | Kathleen M. Litkovitz | Democrat | 12/31/09 |
| City Director of Law | Anthony Pecora | Democrat | 12/31/11 |
| Safety/Service Director | Dennis Clotz | Republican | Unknown |
| Council at Large | Terrance A. Traster | Democrat | 12/31/09 |
| Council at Large | Nicholas W. Brusky | Republican | 12/31/09 |
| Council at Large | P. William Vanderwyden III | Democrat | 12/31/09 |
| 1st Ward Council | Jason Sobiski | Independent | 12/31/09 |
| 2nd Ward Council | Glenn Loughrie | Democrat | 12/31/09 |
| 3rd Ward Council | Joseph R. Gambish | Republican | 12/31/09 |
| 4th Ward Council | Jennifer Wasilk | Republican | 12/31/09 |
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 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/sq mi (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.
Education
The Amherst Schools have received a "Excellent" District rating for many years in a row.
More info needed!
Transportation
Two major highways run through the city: Ohio State Route 2 and Ohio Turnpike Interstate 80. Both have helped the growth of Amherst greatly over the years due to their location in the city. State Route 58 also runs though the city, and State Route 113 borders the southern limit of the city.
Growth
Amherst has been growing quickly. Shopping centers, restaurants, homes, and other small businesses are being established; and Amherst is becoming a larger and more diverse community every year. Plans for additional commercial areas are in the works. A branch of the Cleveland Clinic was also built on the city border in neighboring Lorain.
External links
- Official City Website
- City of Amherst
- Amherst Schools
- NEW! Amherst Discussion Forums
- Amherst Ohio Message Board
- Amherst, Ohio is at coordinates Coordinates:
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Lorain County, Ohio |
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|---|---|---|
| County seat: Elyria | ||
| Cities |
Amherst | Avon | Avon Lake | Elyria | Lorain | North Ridgeville | Oberlin | Sheffield Lake | Vermilion |
 |
| Villages |
Grafton | Kipton | LaGrange | Rochester | Sheffield | South Amherst | Wellington |
|
| Townships |
Amherst | Brighton | Brownhelm | Camden | Carlisle | Columbia | Eaton | Elyria | Grafton | Henrietta | Huntington | LaGrange | New Russia | Penfield | Pittsfield | Rochester | Sheffield | Wellington |
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| Census-designated place | ||
| Other locality | ||
