Hunt & Live

Clermont County, OH

210,805 residents · 453 sq mi · 465.8/sq mi · 26% rural

Climate
54.1°F
45.4" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.8
Hardiness
Zone 8a
Winter low ~12.9°F

About Clermont County

Clermont County, is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 208,601. Ordinanced in 1800 as part of the Virginia Military District, Clermont is Ohio's eighth oldest county, the furthest county west in Appalachian Ohio, and the eleventh oldest county of the former Northwest Territory. Clermont County is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is named from the French "clear hills or mountain."

Its county seat is Batavia, while its largest city is Milford.

43
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1998 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

This area features a mix of rural and suburban living, with a population density of 465.8 people per square mile, which may feel crowded for those seeking solitude. The climate is classified as humid, with an annual mean temperature of 54.1°F and 45.4 inches of rainfall per year. The USDA plant hardiness zone 8a provides a decent growing season, allowing for a variety of crops, though the potential for ice storms and strong winds can limit outdoor activities during certain months.

Clermont County faces notable natural hazards, including a high risk of lightning (FEMA rank 89) and ice storms (rank 88), which could disrupt self-sufficient living. The area also experiences strong winds (rank 88) and heat waves (rank 87), which can pose challenges for power and water supply management. While the violence percentile is relatively low at 20/100, the population density percentile of 91/100 suggests that the area is more populated than many might prefer for a homestead.

This county may be a good fit for those who appreciate a balance between rural and suburban amenities, particularly families or individuals seeking access to metropolitan resources while still engaging in homesteading. However, those who prioritize extreme remoteness or are concerned about frequent weather-related disruptions may find it unsuitable. The hidden gem here is the broadband access at 80%, which can support remote work or online learning for homesteaders looking to diversify their income sources.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #2,316 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#73 of 88 in OH
Ranked #73 of 88 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: lightning
FEMA ranks lightning risk at 89/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 466/sqmi
Densely populated at 466 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 54.1°F annual mean and 45.4" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $224,800.

Score Breakdown

Violence
2
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
78
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
91
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
77.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 82
Drought 37
Earthquake 78
Hail 56
Hurricane 21
Heat Wave 87
Riverine Flood 81
Ice Storm 88
Landslide 83
Lightning 89
Strong Wind 88
Tornado 84
Wildfire 41
Winter Weather 81

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
85.8°F
Winter low
22.9°F
Heating degree days
4,969
Cooling degree days
1,026

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$224,800
Median HH income
$79,573
Price to income
2.8×
Property tax rate
1.31%
~$2,939/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
40.5
Homeownership
73.8%
Poverty rate
8.4%
Unemployment
4.1%

Connectivity

Broadband households
79.8%
No internet access
7.4%

Explore Clermont County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.