Townapedia
Downtown Port Clinton from the air
Downtown Port Clinton from the air · Nyttend, Public domain
St. Thomas Episcopal Church 2
St. Thomas Episcopal Church 2 · LeeG7144, CC BY-SA 3.0
PortClinton 1904 cg
PortClinton 1904 cg · United States Coast Guard, Public domain

Port Clinton, Ohio

Port Clinton is a city of 5,970 people in Ottawa County, Ohio, founded in 1828.

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Population5,970 -3.7% since 2019
Elevation581 ft 177 m
Founded1828
Land area2.1 sq mi
ZIP code43452
Nearest airportToledo Executive Airport (TDZ) 29 mi

Why visit Port Clinton

Townapedia lists 4 museums and landmarks, 11 parks and trails, 13 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Port Clinton Light.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 22°F.

About Port Clinton

Port Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Ottawa County, Ohio, United States, located at the mouth of the Portage River on Lake Erie. The population was 6,025 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Port Clinton micropolitan area, about 34 miles (55 km) southeast of Toledo.

From the Wikipedia article Port Clinton, Ohio (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Port Clinton Light

Lighthouse · 0.4 mi

Lighthouse in the United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Port Clinton Lighthouse

Lighthouse · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

Taft Hill

Scenic view · 1.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks4

Ottawa County Historical Society

Museum

126 West 3rd Street, Port Clinton

Open in Google Maps

American Expedition 1813

Monument and historic site · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

De Lery Portage

Monument and historic site · 1.6 mi

Open in Google Maps

Ottawa County Veterans Memorial

Monument and historic site

Open in Google Maps

Parks, trails and playgrounds11

Adams Street Park

Park

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Friendship Park

Park

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Lakeview Park

Park · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve

Hiking and trails · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Port Clinton Public Swimming Beach

Beach · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Port Clinton Yacht Club

Marina and boat launch · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

Portage Park

Park · 1.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

Tru-Lay Stadium

Sports field and stadium · 0.6 mi

Open in Google Maps

Veterans Park

Park

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Waterworks Park

Park · 0.4 mi

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West End Community Park

Park · 0.9 mi

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Restaurants and cafes13

Coffee Express

Cafe · Coffee Shop

128 West 2nd Street, Port Clinton

Open in Google Maps · +1-419-734-2089

Bell Mell Tavern & Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza

307 Fulton Street, Port Clinton

Open in Google Maps

Big Boy

Restaurant · Burger · 1.1 mi

1707 East Perry Street, Port Clinton

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Mendoza's

Restaurant · Mexican

101 East Perry Street, Port Clinton

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JetBar

Bar and pub · 0.4 mi

3 North Monroe Street, Port Clinton

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Rosie's Bar & Grill

Restaurant

102 Madison Street, Port Clinton

Open in Google Maps

Sloopy’s

Restaurant · Pizza

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Al La Carte

Restaurant

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Dock's Beach House

Restaurant · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Slater Food & Sprits.

Bar and pub · 1.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

Wendy's

Fast food · Burger

210 East Perry Street, Port Clinton

09:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 419-734-6095

McDonald's

Fast food · Burger · 1.0 mi

Open in Google Maps

1 more on the map.

History

Established in 1828, the town was named after New York governor DeWitt Clinton, who was instrumental in creating the Erie Canal, which connected the Midwest along the Great Lakes to the markets of the Hudson River and New York.

The city saw small population growth throughout 19th century, with a population of 1,600 in 1880 and 2,049 residents in 1890. By 1886, Port Clinton contained three newspaper offices, four churches, and one bank. Several manufacturing businesses existed in the town, with the largest being A. Couche & Company, a sawmill that employed ten workers. Most businesses provided services or products to farmers in the surrounding countryside.

During the 20th century, Port Clinton's population grew, especially in the second half of the century with the expansion of the Vacationland region as a whole with increasing tourism. In 2000, 6,391 residents lived in the community.

From the History section of Port Clinton, Ohio on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay6

Churches and places of worship10

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Shopping2

Gas and EV charging2

Schools, colleges and libraries8

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Healthcare2

Map of Port Clinton

61 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 1.9 in of rainFebruary: 1.8 in of rainMarch: 2.6 in of rainApril: 3.8 in of rainMay: 3.2 in of rainJune: 3.7 in of rainJuly: 3.5 in of rainAugust: 3.0 in of rainSeptember: 3.1 in of rainOctober: 2.7 in of rainNovember: 2.6 in of rainDecember: 2.1 in of rainJanuary: 34°FFebruary: 37°FMarch: 45°FApril: 57°FMay: 68°FJune: 78°FJuly: 82°FAugust: 80°FSeptember: 74°FOctober: 63°FNovember: 50°FDecember: 39°FJanuary: 22°FFebruary: 23°FMarch: 31°FApril: 41°FMay: 53°FJune: 63°FJuly: 67°FAugust: 66°FSeptember: 59°FOctober: 48°FNovember: 37°FDecember: 28°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan34°F22°F1.9 in
Feb37°F23°F1.8 in
Mar45°F31°F2.6 in
Apr57°F41°F3.8 in
May68°F53°F3.2 in
Jun78°F63°F3.7 in
Jul82°F67°F3.5 in
Aug80°F66°F3.0 in
Sep74°F59°F3.1 in
Oct63°F48°F2.7 in
Nov50°F37°F2.6 in
Dec39°F28°F2.1 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Sandusky (12 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$60,909median household income
$152,300median home value
$934median monthly rent
44.3median age
21.8%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
67.9%of homes are owner-occupied
19.9 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1820%18 to 3418%35 to 6438%65 and over25%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Ottawa County has had 6 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2020-03-31: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2012-06-30: Severe Storms (Severe Storm)
  • 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
  • 2004-09-19: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2002-11-18: Severe Storms And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 29 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.