Fostoria, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fostoria, Ohio had a total population of 12,344, the 156th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $54,151, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Fostoria Quick Facts
How Fostoria Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,671 | 12,344 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $52,943 | $54,151 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $81,500 | $87,200 | +7.0% |
How Fostoria Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fostoria Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | 29,983 | $45,154 | 28.6% | $226,100 |
| Perrysburg | 25,181 | $111,643 | 4.1% | $329,700 |
| Rossford | 6,323 | $71,199 | 10.3% | $174,900 |
| Northwood | 5,193 | $77,268 | 13.8% | $183,100 |
| North Baltimore | 3,584 | $60,396 | 14.0% | $117,900 |
| Walbridge | 3,034 | $55,469 | 13.3% | $137,600 |
| Weston | 1,638 | $60,714 | 12.6% | $128,800 |
| Pemberville | 1,371 | $88,269 | 5.4% | $184,800 |
| Haskins | 1,291 | $108,828 | 4.4% | $240,600 |
| Millbury | 1,259 | $80,833 | 11.2% | $216,000 |
Cities Similar to Fostoria
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 12,620 | $57,199 | $174,400 | 21.2% | 17.5% |
| Bucyrus | 11,594 | $54,349 | $128,600 | 12.5% | 14.9% |
| Conneaut | 12,357 | $61,741 | $132,400 | 16.2% | 19.4% |
| Bedford | 12,931 | $57,308 | $135,200 | 20.2% | 13.7% |
| Franklin | 11,712 | $58,587 | $183,100 | 15.8% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Fostoria is a small city located in Ohio, within Wood County. The total population is 12,344. It ranks as the 156th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fostoria is 39.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fostoria is $54,151. This is 24% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $87,200. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Fostoria is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fostoria is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.8%. The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.8% vs 4.8%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fostoria, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fostoria, Ohio?
Fostoria, Ohio has a population of 12,344 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fostoria, OH?
The median household income in Fostoria is $54,151, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fostoria, OH?
The poverty rate in Fostoria is 16.4%. This means approximately 1,969 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fostoria, Ohio?
Fostoria's population is 77.5% White, 5.4% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fostoria, OH?
The median home value in Fostoria is $87,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Fostoria, Ohio?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Fostoria hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.