Clermont is a city in Lake County in central Florida, United States, about 22 miles west of Orlando and 22 miles southeast of Leesburg. The population was 43,021 in 2020. The city is residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and tourism-oriented restaurants and bars.
Clermont was originally occupied by the Timucua, whose numbers were whittled by epidemics of new infectious diseases introduced by contact with Europeans, then by attacks and slave raids by colonists. They were followed by the Seminole, who were largely driven out by federal troops. The first white settlers in the area arrived in 1853.
Clermont was founded in 1884, and named for the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotnowski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company, formed for land development.[14] The municipality was first officially incorporated as a town from June 9, 1891, to May 25, 1895, when it disbanded and became unincorporated; but it was officially reincorporated as a city on December 28, 1916.
Much of the county initially was developed as orange and other citrus groves, which was the basis of the economy through the mid-20th century. For instance, Apshawa Groves owned and worked large expanses of land in the county. It later became a major real estate company. Tourism also became increasingly important.
The population grew 208% from 2000 to 2010, with commensurate economic growth, attracting big box retail stores. In Spring 2010, the Clermont Landings shopping center opened, featuring 20 shops and restaurants and the city's first cinema. Increased pollution from runoff and residential development has hurt the city's lakes and other natural resources.
