Guides · Clermont, Florida
Wintering in Clermont, Florida: What to Know
Clermont’s winter appeal isn’t the citrus groves that made it famous—they’re gone—but the steep hills, lake access, and a training-camp pedigree that give the town a distinct off-season energy.
Clermont's Hills: From Citrus Groves to Landmarks
Clermont sits on the highest ground in peninsular Florida, which is precisely why it was planted in citrus. The town was established in 1884, incorporated in 1891, and named for the French hometown of A.F. Wrotnowski of the Clermont Improvement Company. For decades, orange groves carpeted these slopes and fueled the local economy. Then came the freezes, and then came development, and by the late twentieth century the groves were mostly gone.
What remains is the Florida Citrus Tower, built in 1956, still standing as one of Florida’s earliest roadside landmarks—and now, ironically, a monument to an industry that no longer surrounds it. From the top, you see hills, lakes, and rooftops where orchards once ran. It’s worth the visit precisely because it doesn’t show you what you expect.
Why Clermont Is a Winter Training Destination
Clermont adopted the slogan Choice of Champions in 2014, and it earned that phrase. The National Training Center, established here in 2001, turned the town into a destination for triathletes, cyclists, and endurance athletes drawn to the same hills that once held citrus. The terrain that made the groves possible now makes for punishing intervals.
For winter visitors, this means an active-recreation scene rather than a theme-park one. You won’t find the coastal crowds or the chain-restaurant strip. You’ll find a town built around people who came here to train, which keeps the pace deliberate and the amenities practical.
Lake Minneola in Winter: Swimming, Fishing, and Quiet Views
Mild winters make the lakes viable year-round. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola offers swimming, fishing piers, and a playground, and in January or February you can use all three without fighting for parking. The contrast with crowded coastal winter spots is stark: no snowbirds stacked on the sand, no gridlock at sunset.
The lake breeze is real, and the hills amplify it. Mornings can be crisp, afternoons pleasant—a rhythm that suits a long ride, a walk, or an afternoon on the water.
Clermont Winter Costs and Demographics at a Glance
The census data paints a clear picture of who lives here and what it costs. With a population of 44,984 and a median age of 42.4, this is not a retirement-only town. The median household income is $79,789, and 35.7 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—a well-educated, working-age population.
Housing is the practical question for a winter stay. The median home value is $368,600, and the median gross rent is $1,774. Of 18,718 total housing units, just 558 are held for seasonal or recreational use—meaning this is a year-round town, not a vacation-rental market. Vacant units number 1,800, which still leaves some room for seasonal stays but not a glut. The unemployment rate sits at 5.9 percent.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 44,984 |
| Median age | 42.4 years |
| Median household income | $79,789 |
| Median home value | $368,600 |
| Median gross rent | $1,774 |
| Total housing units | 18,718 |
| Seasonal/recreational units | 558 |
| Vacant housing units | 1,800 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.7% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% |
Calendar Check: What's On in the Cooler Months
The signature winter event is Pig on the Pond, a three-day gathering at Waterfront Park and the biggest event in south Lake County, drawing more than 20,000 people. Run by Project Scholars, a non-profit, the 2026 edition was the 27th—meaning it has been running long enough to be a genuine tradition, not a novelty.
It anchors the early-year social calendar, but it’s not the only game in town. The mild season also makes it the right time for outdoor events elsewhere in the region, and Clermont’s position makes it a practical base for reaching them.
Day-Trip Radius: Hills, Lakes, and Festivals Nearby
Clermont sits within an easy drive of several towns with their own winter attractions. Mount Dora is 21 miles away and hosts the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the Mount Dora Craft Fair. Sanford, 36 miles out, runs Sanford Porchfest. Oviedo is 38 miles distant with Great Day in the Country, and Dade City is 35 miles away with the Kumquat Festival. Altamonte Springs, 25 miles off, hosts Red Hot & Boom.
That radius makes Clermont a sensible home base: you get the hills, the lake, and the training infrastructure, then range out for festivals and events without relocating.
The town answers the practical questions directly. Winter activities center on the lake and the hills, not citrus. The demographics and housing costs suggest a year-round community with modest seasonal vacancies. The Choice of Champions slogan reflects a real training-camp heritage that shapes the town’s character. And Pig on the Pond gives the season a fixed point on the calendar. Clermont doesn’t pretend to be what it once was—it just uses what the hills left behind.
Common questions
- Why is Clermont called the Choice of Champions?
- Clermont adopted the slogan Choice of Champions in 2014, based on the National Training Center established there in 2001. The center draws athletes for training, and the city leans into that identity. It's a civic slogan, not a historical nickname.
- What happened to all the orange groves in Clermont?
- Citrus groves dominated the local economy into the mid-twentieth century, then dwindled fast under repeated freezes and suburban development. The 1956 Florida Citrus Tower still stands, but it now overlooks a landscape where most groves are gone. Hills remain, hence the area's steep reputation.
- Is the Florida Citrus Tower worth seeing if the groves are gone?
- Yes, if you like roadside history. Built in 1956, it's one of Florida's earliest roadside landmarks and outlived the industry it celebrated. You can see the tower and imagine the groves that used to cover the hills, though the surrounding land is now largely suburban.
- What can I do outdoors in Clermont in winter?
- Head to Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola for swimming, fishing piers, and a playground. The park is a central spot for lake access and family activities. Winter weather is mild enough for outdoor time, and the hills offer a change from flat Florida terrain.
- Is Clermont a good place to live or just visit?
- It's a real city, not just a tourist stop. Population is about 44,984, with a median age of 42.4. Median household income is $79,789, and median home value is $368,600. About 35.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and unemployment is 5.9%.
- What's the big annual event in Clermont?
- Pig on the Pond, held over three days at Waterfront Park. It's the biggest event in south Lake County, drawing more than 20,000 people. Run by Project Scholars, a non-profit, the 2026 edition was the 27th. It's a community fundraiser with food, music, and activities.
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