Editing Fostoria, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                    = Fostoria, Ohio
|settlement_type         = [[City]]

|image_skyline           = Downtown Fostoria.jpg
|image_caption           = Main Street in downtown Fostoria
|image_flag              = Flag of Fostoria, Ohio.png
|image_seal              = Seal of Fostoria, Ohio.png

|image_map               = Map of Seneca County Ohio Highlighting Fostoria City.png
|map_caption             = Location of Fostoria in Seneca County
|pushpin_map             = Ohio#USA
|pushpin_relief          = yes
|pushpin_label           = Fostoria

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name        = United States
|subdivision_type1       = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1       = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2       = [[List of counties in Ohio|Counties]]
|subdivision_name2       = [[Seneca County, Ohio|Seneca]], [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock]], [[Wood County, Ohio|Wood]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes    = 
|government_type         = 
|leader_title            = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name             = 
|leader_title1           = 
|leader_name1            = 
|established_title       = 
|established_date        =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes          = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2          = 20.18
|area_land_km2           = 19.62
|area_water_km2          = 0.56
|area_total_sq_mi        = 7.79
|area_land_sq_mi         = 7.57
|area_water_sq_mi        = 0.22
|unit_pref               = Imperial

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes    =
|population_as_of        = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_total        = 13046
|pop_est_footnotes       = <ref name="2023 est">{{cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-POP-39.xlsx |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=25 June 2024}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of           = 2023
|population_est          = 13039
|population_density_sq_mi = 1722.47
|population_density_km2  = 665.05

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset              = -5
|timezone_DST            = EDT
|utc_offset_DST          = -4
|elevation_footnotes     = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft            = 774
|coordinates             = {{coord|41|09|47|N|83|23|55|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type        = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code             = 44830
|area_code               = [[Area code 419|419]], [[Area code 567|567]]
|blank_name              = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info              = 39-28014<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name             = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info             = 1086945<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086945}}</ref>
|website                 = {{URL|http://www.fostoriaohio.gov/|fostoriaohio.gov}}
}}

'''Fostoria''' ({{IPAc-en|f|ɒ|s|ˈ|t|ʊər|iː|ə}}, {{respell|foss|TORR-EE|ə}}) is a city located at the convergence of [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock]], [[Seneca County, Ohio|Seneca]], and [[Wood County, Ohio|Wood]] counties<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Fostoria |volume=10 |pages=733–734}}</ref> in the northwestern part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]].  The population was 13,046 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 Census]],<ref>2020 United States Census, Fostoria, Ohio Total Population, https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP&q=Fostoria%20city,%20Ohio</ref> slightly down from 13,441 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3928014| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212193854/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3928014| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Fostoria city, Ohio| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref> It is approximately {{convert|40|mi}} south of [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]] and {{convert|90|mi}} north of [[Columbus, Ohio|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 [[railfan]]s, hosted by a railroad viewing park.

==History==
Fostoria was created in 1854 with the merger of the communities of Rome and Risdon.<ref name=EB1911/><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ctlE6zuQQI0C&pg=PA553 | title=History of Seneca County, from the Close of the Revolutionary War to July, 1880 | publisher=Transcript Printing Company | author=Lang, William | year=1880 | pages=553}}</ref>  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.<ref name="Murray11">{{Cite book
  | last = Murray
  | first = Melvin L.
  | title = Fostoria, Ohio Glass II
  | publisher = M. L. Murray
  | year = 1992
  | location = Fostoria, OH
  | page = 11
  | oclc = 27036061
  }}</ref>  Charles W. Foster's son,  [[Charles Foster (Ohio politician)|Charles]], became one of Fostoria's most famous citizens—becoming the 35th governor of Ohio and [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]] under President [[Benjamin Harrison]].<ref name="Murray11" />

Fostoria is known for its [[glass]] heritage and [[railroad]]s: two [[CSX]] main lines and one [[Norfolk Southern|NS]] main line intersect in downtown Fostoria, an area called the "Iron Triangle."  A natural gas boom in the 1880s, the railroad lines, and recruiting efforts by the community caused Fostoria to become home for numerous glass factories, including the [[Mambourg Glass Company]] (the city's first glass factory), the [[Fostoria Glass Company]], the [[Seneca Glass Company]], the [[Novelty Glass Company]], and others.<ref>Author Melvin L. Murray's second book on the Fostoria glass industry, ''Fostoria, Ohio Glass II'', discusses each of Fostoria's glass factories.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/03/20/Fostoria-to-start-construction-soon-on-train-watching-park.html Fostoria to start construction soon on train-watching park, Toledo Blade, March 21, 2013]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.fostoriairontriangle.com/ Fostoria Rail Preservation Society website]</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.77|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|7.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.22|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2013-01-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1027
|1870= 1733
|1880= 3569
|1890= 7070
|1900= 7730
|1910= 9597
|1920= 9987
|1930= 12790
|1940= 13453
|1950= 14351
|1960= 15732
|1970= 16037
|1980= 15743
|1990= 14983
|2000= 13931
|2010= 13441
|2020= 13046
|estyear=2023
|estimate=13039
|estref=<ref name="2023 est"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 13,441 people, 5,417 households, and 3,432 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1780.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,225 housing units at an average density of {{convert|824.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 13,931 people, 5,565 households, and 3,628 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,917.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,024 housing units at an average density of {{convert|829.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.32% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.75% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.19% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.48% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.60% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.66% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.92% of the population.

There were 5,565 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,166, and the median income for a family was $38,427. Males had a median income of $31,476 versus $22,016 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,568. About 9.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
The city is served by one airport, called [[Fostoria Metropolitan Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/KFZI | title=Fostoria Metropolitan Airport | publisher=airnav.com | access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>
Fostoria was served by the ''[[Three Rivers (Amtrak)|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.

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 [[Arcadia, Ohio|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.<ref>{{Citation|last=Macler|first=Bruce A.|chapter=U.S. EPA Drinking Water Field Office Perspectives and Needs for Risk Assessment|date=2007-03-01|pages=315–323|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc.|isbn=9780470173381|doi=10.1002/9780470173381.ch13|title=Risk Assessment for Chemicals in Drinking Water}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Charlie Earl]], former [[Ohio House of Representatives|Ohio State Representative]], [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] candidate in the [[Ohio gubernatorial election, 2014|2014 Ohio gubernatorial election]]
* [[Charles Foster (Ohio politician)|Charles Foster]], son of Fostoria's namesake, former [[List of Governors of Ohio|governor of Ohio]], former [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]]<ref>Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch, 1774–1989, [https://books.google.com/books?id=_h97tuO2xJQC&dq=fostoria+glass+gas+history&pg=PA132 p. 132].</ref>
* [[Edward R. Hays]], soldier, lawyer and politician ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]]
* [[Micah Hyde (American football)|Micah Hyde]], football player
* [[Grant Jackson (baseball)|Grant Jackson]], left-handed pitcher for six MLB teams over eighteen seasons
* [[Tony Lucadello]], baseball scout
* [[Damon Moore]], football player
* [[John Quinn (collector)|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<ref>{{cite book|title=Chronicle of Change: Capital University 1950-2000|author=James L. Burke|publisher=Capital University|year=2002|isbn=978-0971989016}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.fostoriaohio.gov// City of Fostoria official website]

{{Hancock County, Ohio}}
{{Seneca County, Ohio}}
{{Wood County, Ohio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fostoria, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Hancock County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Seneca County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Wood County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Ohio]]