Fostoria: Demographics & People
Census counts 12,344 people in Fostoria, in 5,097 households. Population shrank 2.6% from 12,671 (2022) to 12,344 (2024). Median age 39.1 years. (1.1y younger than Seneca County; 1.0y older than Ohio). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 78% White (non-Hispanic) and 11% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.31). 61% of households are family-led. County is losing 1,066 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Ohio avg 2.4).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Ohio 44%).
- 71 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Ohio 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 2.6% from 12,671 (2022) to 12,344 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~12,027 (extrapolated at -1.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 11,613.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 74,920 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -2.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 12,671 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 12,344 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 12,344 people (vs Ohio 29,269) |
| Population Estimate | 11,613 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 39.1y is 0.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 39.1 years (vs Ohio 38.1y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 12,344 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,896 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 2,660.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 4,571.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,217 |
| Population under 18 | 2,896 |
| Median age | 39.1 years (vs Ohio 38.1y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 12,344 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.31 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 10,391 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 543 |
| Asian residents | 208 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,500 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 30.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.2% |
| Asian population | 0.8% (vs Ohio 1.9%) |
| Black population | 5.4% (vs Ohio 8.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 10.8% (vs Ohio 4.5%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 77.5% (at Ohio median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 10,577 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,498 |
| Share born in this state | 85.7% |
| Share born in another state | 14.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 12.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 495 |
| From Europe | 79 |
| From Africa | 241 |
Households & Family Composition
5,097 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 3,038 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 3,031 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 3,038 |
| Married couples with children | 504 |
| Single-parent households | 271 |
| Average household size | 2.41 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 233 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 93 |
| Family households | 3,087 households (vs Ohio 7,027) |
| Households that are families | 60.6% (vs Ohio 55.9%) |
| Total households | 5,097 households (vs Ohio 12,056) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 9.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 1,066 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 70,677 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 71,743 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,066 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,185 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 9.4% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 323 residents live in group quarters (2.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 323 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 39063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 39 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Hancock |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 16.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 19.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 39063 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Hancock County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,585 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 39063 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Hancock County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 56.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 52.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 55.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 75,783 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.90 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 12,344, declining, family-oriented, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 12,344 people (vs Ohio 29,269) |
| Town Summary · County | Hancock County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade