$304,630Average Value$237Average Price per Sq Ft48Homes For Sale
“Small Town on a Great Lake”
Where Lake Erie meets the Vermilion River, the city of Vermilion makes the most of its waterfront location. The community quickly established itself in the early 1800s as a fishing village, and its sphere of influence grew through the introduction of railroads and new industries. Today, the city thrives through commercial fishing, sandstone mining, shipbuilding and logging. Over 120 trains serve Vermilion's economy, and the city expects that number to rise to over 200 in the next century. Residents love the outdoors, spending their days exploring preserves and boating on the lake. Downtown Vermilion attracts locals and visitors with its diverse small businesses and yearlong list of events.
Vermilion residents enjoy waterfront activities such as boating, kayaking, and swimming at the beach.
Residents find every excuse to be outdoors
Vermilion is all about outdoor living. The city has over 16 public parks and access to over 2,000 feet of Lake Erie's shoreline. "There's less than 20% of public access to Lake Erie, so Vermilion's very large public beach in the heart of downtown is a rarity," says Kate Repola, Main Street Vermilion's executive director. Main Street Beach & Park is easily spotted by its historic lighthouse and collection of rainbow Adirondack chairs. Throughout the year, people gather to swim and admire the sky. "Sunsets are a really big thing around here," Repola says. "You can go down to the beach, and there will be about 100 folks watching the sunset." Port Authority docks and ramps allow boaters to launch onto Lake Erie or the Vermilion River. The river is also popular for Mystic Belle paddle-wheeler rides and self-guided water trail tours via kayak or canoe. On land, cyclists travel throughout Lorain County on the Back Roads & Beaches Bike Route. This multi-sport trail winds past forests and countryside alpaca farms.
Vermilion's Harbor View Park is home to Main Street Beach—the city's largest public beachfront.
Some parks in Vermilion, such as Sherod Park, have small quiet beaches where visitors can find sea glass.
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Waterfront and rural living all wrapped up in one
Colonial-inspired homes, Cape Cods, New Traditional houses, ranch-style homes and bungalows are among the most common styles in the city. More rural areas allow for multi-acre lots and increased privacy, while suburban communities have less space between neighbors, shorter driveways and sidewalks. Downtown has many waterfront properties along the lake and river. Dense shade trees are common in every neighborhood. The city's median price is $260,000, significantly less than the national median.
Most New Traditional homes in Vermilion has two car garages and wide driveways.
Waterfront homes on the Vermilion River have access to private docks.
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Downtown blooms with thriving businesses
Downtown Vermilion is the heart of the activity, from shopping and dining to outdoor events. It's been an accredited Main Street USA for the past 20 years, which has "worked tenfold in Vermilion," Repola says. "We know that a thriving downtown has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the community." Boutique shops and locally owned restaurants are on every corner. Flower baskets, public art and live music help add vibrancy to the atmosphere.
Vermilion's Crystal's Treasure Box transforms Lake Erie sea glass into one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Woodstock, a Vermilion eatery, is known for its 70s inspired decor.
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Winter weather predictions with the Woollybear
Main Street Vermilion plans most events, from open-air concerts at the lighthouse to big festivals. For over 50 years, the city has held the Woollybear Festival. This lighthearted tradition uses the colors of the Isabella tiger moth's fuzzy larvae to forecast what kind of winter is ahead. The festival's parade is one of the largest in the state, lasting over 2 hours. Other major celebrations include the annual Festival of the Fish and Ice-A-Fair. This wintery event displays over 60 ice sculptures, frozen playgrounds and ice-carving demos throughout the city. The pinnacle event involves a bonfire inside a giant, intricately carved ice chimney. "It's a race to see if the fire will win or the water," Repola says.
The annual All Washed Up event is a unique occasion. Locals gather driftwood from Lake Erie and transform it into complex sculptures. "We self-title ourselves as the Driftwood Capital of the World because we have and do some much with it," Repola says. A professional woodworker judges the creations, and booths let artisans sell their work.
Vermilion's school pipelines
Students attend either the Vermilion Local School District or Firelands Local School District. Both have B ratings on Niche and offer one elementary, middle and high school per district.
Vermilion High School is home to the Sailors.
Vermilion Elementary School offers a variety of after school programs for students.
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Taking golf carts to the street
Rural roads are usually long forested stretches with very low traffic. Primary avenues like Highway 6, Vermilion Road and West River Road experience more activity as they pass through downtown and densely populated neighborhoods. Driving is how most people get around, and some residents get their golf carts street-legal through inspections. Trains pass in and out of the city all day, but their roaring presence is a well-loved part of the community. The city is about 7 miles from Mercy Health Lorain Hospital and 33 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Temperate lakeside weather and crime statistics
Vermilion experiences moderate weather year-round. "Lake Erie keeps us warm, so we have beautiful fall weather longer than some other Ohio communities," Repola says. Winter temperatures occasionally cause river ice jams, and parking bans keep streets clear for snow plowing. Flooding around Lake Erie is low, but Vermilion River and Brownhelm Creek floods impact some rural homes, roads and train tracks.
The FBI reports that while violent crime in Vermilion increased between 2022 and 2023, property crime rates have steadily declined since 2018.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Nile Vincz
Video By
Stewart Taveras
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brian Victor,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Vermilion, OH sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Vermilion, OH over the last 12 months is $250,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Opportunity knocks in the coveted Cask Villa lakefront community! Nestled along the shores of Lake Erie near charming downtown Vermilion and just steps from Sherod Park, this townhome offers panoramic lake views and one of the best locations in the entire complex. While this unit awaits your personal touch and updates, it already boasts the key ingredients for something truly special: vaulted
Welcome to your dream retreat on Lake Erie! This beautifully updated townhome in the highly sought-after and historic Cask Villa community is a rare gem—units here rarely hit the market (last one listed in 2020!). Nestled near the heart of downtown Vermilion and just steps from Sherod Park, this fully renovated home offers unmatched charm, style, and location. Step inside and you’re greeted with
Welcome to this 3 bedrooms/2.5 bath colonial home, built in 2003 on a double lot. A short walking distance to Lake Erie and Lakefront park with a public beach. Enjoy the open floor plan of the main level with living room, dining room, powder room & kitchen plenty of space for family time or hosting. Sliding glass doors off the back will lead you into the fenced in backyard ready for quiet time &
Introducing 574 Washington, a rare gem just steps away from the serene shores of Lake Erie and the charm of historic downtown Vermilion. This meticulously crafted home, designed and built by its original owner, offers effortless single-floor living with thoughtful details throughout. The slate roof, sourced from a vintage barn, adds timeless character, while the high-end custom kitchen cabinets
Built in 1973, this one owner ranch home sits on 2.38 wooded acres with a serene pond to relax your days away. The house is solid and a full finished basement that's dry as a bone, featuring 4 separate rooms + mechanicals. The home is ready for your personal touch and modern updates, making it a perfect canvas for renovating. Whether you're looking to restore the classic look or totally reimagine
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Welcome to Redwood Vermilion! Established in 2018, these beautiful single story apartments are ready for you to move right in! They feature 2 full bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, an attached 2 car garage and almost 1300 sq ft of living space. You have an eat-in kitchen for dining, all appliances included, a large pantry and a separate laundry area with space for a full size laundry hookup. Besides
Welcome home!Crystal Shores Apartments are located close to many amenities that are a short drive or even a beautiful walk away! Our staff all live on site and we offer same day maintenance. Many of our apartments are beautifully remodeled with carpeted bedrooms and vinyl or laminate floors as well as all major appliances. Our apartment community offers peace and tranquility in a very
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