Amherst (/ˈæmhərst/ AM-hərst) is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. It is located 28 miles (45 km) west of Cleveland within the Cleveland metropolitan area. The population was 12,681 at the 2020 census.

The original village, which eventually became known as Amherst, was established/founded by pioneer settler Jacob Shupe (who came to this area in 1811; however, what would become the specific “downtown” area was settled by Josiah Harris in 1818), although the original tiny village was first known only as "Amherst Corners" in the early-1830s. When the village-plat was officially recorded in 1836, it was simply named the "town plat of Amherst", but became "Amherstville" circa-1839, and was later changed to "North Amherst", until finally again simply 'Amherst' in 1909. (The original 1820s postal-name of the village's first post-office was "Plato"; and the village's post-office retained that postal-name into the 1840s, even after the local-government name of the village officially became 'Amherstville' by 1840.)

The village is often said to have had its beginnings as early as 1811, because land which was settled by pioneer Jacob Shupe, in the "Beaver Creek Settlement" (about a mile north of the later village site), was eventually included into the Amherst city-limits. Shupe's pioneering efforts within the township, which included constructing his own grist-mill/saw-mill and distillery, certainly added to the area's desirability for later pioneers to settle here). By the latter 1800s, Amherst acquired the title Sandstone Center of the World. Many early buildings are constructed of native sandstone, and the quarries were also an important source of grindstones. There were nine sandstone quarries in the area operating at the peak of production. Cleveland Quarries Company, established in 1868, no longer quarries in Amherst but is still actively quarrying Berea Sandstone.

Amherst is part of the Greater Cleveland area. Amherst is located 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Lake Erie.

According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 7.12 square miles (18.4 km), of which 7.06 square miles (18.3 km) (or 99.16%) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km) (or 0.84%) is water.

Amherst possesses a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) typical of much of the Central United States, with very warm to hot, humid summers and cold winters with moderate snow.

Amherst is located in Hardiness Zone 6a/6b. A recent trend since the Hardiness rezoning is the discovery that certain tropical plants like the Needle Palm, Chinese Windmill Palm and Fiber Banana trees can grow in Amherst with some protection.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	1,542		—
1890	1,648		6.9%
1900	1,758		6.7%
1910	2,106		19.8%
1920	2,485		18.0%
1930	2,844		14.4%
1940	2,896		1.8%
1950	3,542		22.3%
1960	6,750		90.6%
1970	9,902		46.7%
1980	10,620		7.3%
1990	10,332		−2.7%
2000	11,797		14.2%
2010	12,021		1.9%
2020	12,681		5.5%
2023 (est.)	12,928		1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2020, there were 12,681 people, and 4,886 households in the city. The population density was 1,790.1 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92.1% White, 1.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 4.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.3% of the population.

22.3% of the population were under 18, and 5.2% were under 5. People over 65 were 21.4% of the population. The gender makeup was 49.9% female, and 50.1% male.

The median household income was $78,716, and the per capita income was $42,241. 4.9% of people were under the poverty line.

As of the census of 2010, there were 12,021 people, 4,772 households, and 3,463 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,702.7 inhabitants per square mile (657.4/km). There were 5,031 housing units at an average density of 712.6 per square mile (275.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population.

There were 4,772 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 45 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.7% were from 25 to 44; 32.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,797 people, 4,459 households, and 3,388 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,646.1 inhabitants per square mile (635.6/km). There were 4,603 housing units at an average density of 642.3 per square mile (248.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 96.84% White, 0.53% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.

There were 4,459 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. Twenty-one.six percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,516, and the median income for a family was $57,990. Males had a median income of $47,750 versus $27,880 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,565. About 1.2% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Amherst is home to a Nordson factory that manufactures various products, as well as KTM-Sportmotorcycle America's Corporate office. In the city's scenic downtown section, Ben Franklin's dime store sells many types of fish and aquarium accessories, model cars, puzzles, and the like. Amherst is also home to Ziggy's, a bar and grill that President Obama visited in 2012.

The government in Amherst has traditionally been balanced between the local Democratic and Republican Parties. The political makeup of the city is:

• Democrats: 56.1%
• Republicans: 43.4%

Since becoming a city in 1960, the political power was balanced until the late 1960s and early 1970s when the Republicans led by Mayor Anthony DePaola dominated until 1983 when Democrat John Jaworski was elected mayor.

The city's leadership currently includes:

Office title	Incumbent	Political party	Term expires
Mayor	Mark Costilow	Republican	12/31/27
President of Council	Jennifer Wasilk	Republican	12/31/25
Auditor	Brenda L. Phillips	Republican	12/31/25
Treasurer	Richard Ramsey	Republican	12/31/25
City Director of Law	Anthony R. Pecora	Democratic	12/31/27
Safety/Service Director Appointed	John Jeffreys	Republican	12/31/25
Council at Large	David Janik	Democratic	12/31/25
Council at Large	Martin Heberling, III	Democratic	12/31/25
Council at Large	Chuck Winiarski III	Republican	12/31/25
1st Ward Council	Brian Dembinski	Democratic	12/31/25
2nd Ward Council	Becky Harmych	Democratic	12/31/25
3rd Ward Council	Jake Wachholz	Democratic	12/31/25
4th Ward Council	Matthew W. Nahorn	Republican	12/31/25

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

By far the most common mode of transportation to, from or within Amherst is by car. However, the downtown area is walkable. State Route 2 runs west to east through the northern portion of Amherst providing access to downtown Cleveland (38 minutes), its suburbs and Sandusky, Ohio. There are two exit/entrance ramps in the city (Oak Point Road and State Route 58). The Ohio Turnpike also runs west to east along the City's southern border and there is one (exit/entrance) ramp just south of the city in Amherst Township at State Route 58. Parts of the city are also served by the Lorain County Transit system. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) is the nearest International airport; it is located approximately 35 minutes east of the city.

• Guy Carlton, weighlifter, Olympic medal winner
• Mike Finley, author of over 110 books
• Jim Hayford, basketball head coach, Seattle University
• Joel Hills Johnson, inventor, Mormon pioneer, published poet and gospel hymn writer, politician and judge
• Mika Johnson, filmmaker and musician
• Jerry Lawler, professional wrestler and commentator
• John Penton, motorcycle enduro racer and member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
• Ryan Rua, professional baseball player
• Henry Dwight Stratton, founder of Bryant & Stratton College

• City website
• Amherst Schools