Fostoria (, ) is a city located at the convergence of Hancock, Seneca, and Wood counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,046 at the 2020 Census, slightly down from 13,441 at the 2010 Census. It is approximately south of Toledo and north of Columbus. The community grew substantially during the end of the 19th century, coinciding with the northwest Ohio gas boom. Typical of Rust Belt cities, Fostoria peaked in size in 1970.

Fostoria was a major site for the glass industry, having over a dozen glass factories during the end of the 19th century. As the area's gas supply became depleted, many of the factories closed or moved. The city is now known for its railroads, as approximately 100 trains pass through the city each day. As a result, the city is often visited by railfans, hosted by a railroad viewing park.

History

Fostoria was created in 1854 with the merger of the communities of Rome and Risdon. The combination of both communities' Methodist churches, on land donated by Charles W. Foster, led to the merger. To show their appreciation for Mr. Foster's generosity, the new community was named Fostoria. Charles W. Foster's son, Charles, became one of Fostoria's most famous citizens—becoming the 35th governor of Ohio and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Benjamin Harrison.

Although the boom in gas and glass is long over, railroads continue to be important to the community. More than 100 trains pass through Fostoria each day. The Fostoria Railroad Preservation Society, aided by a $815,760 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, completed a train viewing park in 2013 to help capitalize on the thousands of railfans who visit yearly.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Fostoria had a population of 13,046. The median age was 39.4 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.9 males age 18 and over.

99.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,422 households in Fostoria, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 34.9% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 10,237 || 78.5%

|-

| Black or African American || 827 || 6.3%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 38 || 0.3%

|-

| Asian || 86 || 0.7%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 4 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 618 || 4.7%

|-

| Two or more races || 1,236 || 9.5%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 1,694 || 13.0%

|}

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,441 people, 5,417 households, and 3,432 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 6,225 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White, 6.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 4.3% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.5% of the population.

There were 5,417 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Fostoria was served by the Three Rivers Amtrak Service which ran between Chicago and New York City on CSX's B&O line until train service there ended in March 2005. Fostoria station was built at 500 S. Main Street by B&O in 1907.

The city is the site where the Norfolk Southern Railway's ex-Nickel Plate Road mainline crosses the previously mentioned CSX ex-B&O and ex-C&O lines. The three crossings form a triangle, with the site known as the "Iron Triangle." The area is a popular spot for railfans and has a park located in the center between the three mainlines.

Public water system

The City of Fostoria operates a community public water system that serves a population of approximately 15,000 people and has 5,500 metered service connections. The City of Fostoria also provides water to the Village of Arcadia with a population of 537.

The water treatment system obtains its water from the East Branch of the Portage River. Most of the water is stored in six upground reservoirs. The system also has three groundwater wells that currently serve as the back-up source for the city. Plant design capacity is 6.08 million gallons per day, but current average production is about 2.2 million gallons per day.

Education

The Fostoria Community School District is home to the Fostoria High School.

Notable people

  • Charlie Earl, former Ohio State Representative, Libertarian Party candidate in the 2014 Ohio gubernatorial election
  • Charles Foster, son of Fostoria's namesake, former governor of Ohio, former United States Secretary of the Treasury
  • Edward R. Hays, soldier, lawyer and politician (Republican) U.S. representative
  • Joseph R. Hinrichs, business executive and CEO of CSX Corporation
  • Micah Hyde, football player
  • Grant Jackson, left-handed pitcher for six MLB teams over eighteen seasons
  • Tony Lucadello, baseball scout
  • Damon Moore, football player
  • John Quinn, art collector
  • Gene Sharp, nonviolent action scholar and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
  • Harold L. Yochum, American theologian, church leader and ninth President of Capital University

References

  • City of Fostoria official website