The lakeside lifestyle of Port Clinton
Port Clinton, also called the “Walleye Capital of the World” for its rich fishing waters, sits right on the shores of Lake Erie. Established in 1828, Port Clinton saw minimal growth until the 20th century, when an influx of summer tourism led to the entire region being dubbed “Vacationland." The explosion in tourism gave Port Clinton more exposure, and new residents started flooding in. The construction of hotels and new housing, alongside the operation of the Jet Express ferry, gave Port Clinton’s economy a big push. “We’ve become a huge travel destination and popular with retirees. For a community of 6,000, it’s amazing what we have going on between events and dining,” says Mike Snider, mayor of Port Clinton and a lifelong resident. “We have the most registered boats in the United States after San Diego County, if that tells you anything about how serious the lake lifestyle is.”
Diverse options for water recreation
The crown jewel of outdoor recreation in Port Clinton, and what put it on the map, is the expansive waters of Lake Erie. Port Clinton has access to miles of lake shoreline, which is lined with marinas and swimming areas. During peak summer season, boats and kayaks are seen out on the lake at all hours. Several green spaces are scattered across the community, providing residents with playgrounds, sports courts and walking trails. Waterworks Park sees some of the highest foot traffic during the year, as it sits at the edge of Lake Erie and is landmarked by the Port Clinton Lighthouse. It’s home to Jefferson Street Pier, a popular spot for anglers, and has a trail that leads right to the lake shoreline.
Vintage homes, waterfront condos and traditional suburbs
Architecture in Port Clinton is diverse, and housing styles vary by location in the community. “We’re dealing with three levels of housing needs. Year-round residents, secondary owners and vacation rentals,” Snider says. “It’s a balance, but I think we do it well.” Vintage homes are common near the heart of downtown, some dating back to the late 19th century. Unique styles, such as Victorian and Craftsman, have been renovated over the years and sit along the tree-shaded streets of the inner Port Clinton area. Condos dominate the lakefront and range from midcentury to modern construction eras. Port Clinton’s outskirts, which sit closer to farmland, have a classic suburban feel with midcentury ranch and split-level homes. Acreage is typically more generous here, as is square footage. The median sales price in Port Clinton is $275,000, slightly higher than the state median of $215,000.
A vibrant downtown scene and nearby retail plazas
Historic downtown Port Clinton, with its low-sitting brick buildings and wide streets, is where the heart of the community shines bright. While small, it’s filled with independent businesses, specialty shops, cafés and restaurants. “We’ve focused entirely on revitalizing downtown. For the first time in years, we have zero empty storefronts,” Snider says. McCarthy’s Irish Pub has been serving classic pub fare and craft beer to Port Clinton for over 20 years, and it opens its patio to live music every weekend. The restaurants and bars by the shoreline create a small but energetic nightlife scene. Errand essentials such as Kroger and Walmart are housed in small retail plazas off Route 163.
Education with the Port Clinton City School District
Port Clinton City School District serves the community, and parents can apply to enroll their children in a district of their choice with Ohio’s school choice program. Kids can start at Bataan Memorial Primary School and Bataan Memorial Intermediate School, which get a B-plus and B-minus from Niche, respectively. Students can then head to Port Clinton Middle School, rated with a B, before going to B-minus-rated Port Clinton High School. Of the 20 member schools in the Sandusky Bay Conference, Port Clinton High School offers the most varsity sports, attending numerous league championships. It is also the only school in the county offering an orchestra program.
Year-round events for the community
Port Clinton holds several annual events, most of which take place in downtown and the connecting Waterworks Park. The Walleye Festival, named after the fish that populate the lake, brings live music, carnival rides and a grand parade to the community every Memorial Day weekend. “There’s always something going on. Car shows, art festivals, you name it,” Snider says. “The Walleye Drop on New Year’s Eve brings out 10,000 people. New York has a crystal ball to drop for midnight. We've got a big old fish on a crane.”
Access to major city routes and international flights
Port Clinton is sandwiched between Routes 163 and 2, with Route 2 being the only road in the community to cross Sandusky Bay and run toward Cleveland. The area has no official public transportation. The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 68 miles east of Port Clinton, servicing several commercial airlines with nonstop destinations.
