Located in southwest Ohio, Hamilton has a population of about 62,000. Located 17 miles north of Cincinnati, Hamilton was worked hard to be seen as an art center, and is known as ‘The City of Sculpture' due to its many sculptures located in the downtown area. The area in and around Hamilton is beautiful, with many wooded parks and outdoor activities. Anyone moving to Hamilton will enjoy the mix of historic and modern in this city. The summers are mild, and the winters can be cold but usually average around 31 degrees. The average winter snowfall is about 20 inches.
Economy:
The median family income in Hamilton is lower than that of the state. The cost of living is quite a bit lower than the national average. Unemployment is slightly higher here than in the rest of the state, currently 10 percent. Some top manufacturing firms that call Hamilton home are Smart Papers, Thyssen Krupp Bilstein Corp. and Mohawk Fine Papers. Other major employers include Jackson Lea, KaiVac Cleaning Systems and United Performance Metals. Hamilton also has manufacturing companies from international companies.
History:
Hamilton was first called Fairfield and plots were laid out in 1794. It took the name of Hamilton from Fort Hamilton that was named in honor of Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was incorporated the first time in 1810 but it lost its status five years later because the town failed to hold any elections. It was reincorporated in 1824. Iron works and paper works thrived in Hamilton from then until the mid-20th century, primarily because of the abundant water supply needed to run those two industries. In the 1920s, the city became a home for Chicago mobsters, and got the nickname of ‘Little Chicago' as a result. The city was declared off-limits to servicemen during World War II because of all the gambling and prostitution in the city.
Tourism:
Hamilton has an amazing collection of sculpture all around the downtown area, earning it the nickname of ‘City Of Sculpture'. The Butler County Historical Museum has many exhibits of eighteenth century pieces and a genealogical library. Overlooking the Miami River, the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park has 265 acre outdoor sculpture park. In September, there is the Great Miami River Days, one of the largest water safety events in the country. In January, a highlight is Icefest, with magnificent ice carvings displayed in Technicolor lighting. In April a yearly event is the Hamilton Fairfield Mozart music festival. The area around Hamilton offers much in the way of outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, golf and much more.