It is the principal city of the Port Clinton micropolitan area, about 34 miles (55 km) southeast of Toledo.

The city has been nicknamed the "Walleye Capital of the World", due to the productive fishing waters for the species lying offshore in Lake Erie's Western Basin.

The annual Walleye Drop on New Year's Eve in downtown Port Clinton reflects this nickname.

Several manufacturing businesses existed in the town, with the largest being A. Couche & Company, a sawmill that employed ten workers.

Port Clinton's economy benefits from its lakefront situation, with its fishing, boating, and recreational tourism industries providing employment opportunities to many locals.

The regional tourist economy is anchored by attractions like Cedar Point, Put-in-Bay, and Kelleys Island.

[18] Port Clinton is served by Ida Rupp Public Library, which also operates satellite locations in Marblehead and Put-in-Bay.

[20] Port Clinton is home to WPCR - PortClintonRadio.com, "Ottawa County's News, Sports, and Weather Authority."