Amherst ( ) is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. It is located west of Cleveland within the Cleveland metropolitan area. The population was 12,681 at the 2020 census. (who came to this area in 1811; however, what would become the specific “downtown” area was settled by Josiah Harris in 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.

Land which was settled in 1811 by Jacob Shupe, in the "Beaver Creek Settlement" (about a mile north of the later village site), was eventually included into the Amherst city-limits. Shupe's built his own grist-mill/saw-mill and distillery.

Geography

Amherst is part of the Greater Cleveland area. Amherst is located south of Lake Erie.

According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of , of which (or 99.16%) is land and (or 0.84%) is water.

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. 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.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Amherst had a population of 12,681. The median age was 46.9 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.3 males age 18 and over.

There were 5,155 households in Amherst, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.2% were married-couple households, 14.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 11,384 || 89.8%

|-

| Black or African American || 158 || 1.2%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 23 || 0.2%

|-

| Asian || 126 || 1.0%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 3 || <0.1%

|-

| Some other race || 184 || 1.5%

|-

| Two or more races || 803 || 6.3%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 807 || 6.4%

|}

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 12,021 people, 4,772 households, and 3,463 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,031 housing units at an average density of . 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

  • Henry Dwight Stratton, founder of Bryant & Stratton College

Notes

References

  • City website