Toledo is a city located in northwest Ohio in the United States. As of the 2020 census, Toledo had a population of 271,809 residents, making it the fourth most populous city in Ohio after Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Population and Demographics
Toledo has seen its population decline over the past several decades, with a peak population of 383,818 in 1970. However, recent census estimates show that the population loss has slowed, and the city remains an important economic and cultural hub in northwest Ohio.
The racial makeup of Toledo is about 64% white, 27% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, and 5.3% from other races. About 7% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The median age in Toledo is 34.7 years old. About 22% of the population is under age 18 and 13% is age 65 and older.
Toledo is located in Lucas County. As of 2019, Lucas County had an estimated population of 432,783 residents, making it the sixth most populous county in Ohio.
History
Toledo has a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the late 18th century, attracted by the potential for trade and shipping via the Maumee River and Lake Erie. The city was incorporated in 1833 and named after Toledo, Spain.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Toledo emerged as an important industrial hub. The discovery of oil in northwestern Ohio brought prosperity to the city. Toledo was also a center for glass production and automobile manufacturing.
Some key events in Toledo’s history include:
- 1833 – Toledo incorporated as a city
- 1836 – The University of Toledo founded as Toledo University
- 1868 – Toledo serves as a stop on the Underground Railroad helping escaped slaves find freedom in Canada
- 1886 – The first practical electric streetcars begin operating in Toledo
- 1900 – The first Jeep prototype created in Toledo by Willys-Overland
- 1910s-1920s – Growth of automobile industry led by Willys-Overland Jeep and Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass
- 1936 – Opening of the Anthony Wayne Bridge over the Maumee River
- 1970 – Toledo reaches peak population of 383,818 residents
Today, Toledo continues to celebrate its rich past while looking toward the future. Some of the city’s popular events include the Festival of the Arts, the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball team, the Toledo Walleye ice hockey team, and the Toledo Pride LGBTQ festival.
Government
Toledo has a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is Wade Kapszukiewicz, who was elected in 2017. The mayor serves four-year terms and has significant administrative powers.
The city council consists of 12 members elected from districts who serve four-year terms. The council is responsible for passing city ordinances and the city budget.
Some major city departments and services include:
- Public Service Department – Responsible for trash collection, recycling, snow plowing, street maintenance, forestry, etc.
- Public Utilities Department – Provides water treatment and distribution
- Fire and Rescue Department – Provides fire protection and emergency medical services
- Police Department – Law enforcement services
- Office of Management and Budget – Responsible for budgeting, performance management, etc.
Economy and Major Employers
Some of the major industries in Toledo include manufacturing, healthcare, education, and technology. The largest employers in the city are:
- ProMedica (healthcare) – over 16,000 employees
- University of Toledo (education) – over 6,500 employees
- UTMC (healthcare) – over 5,000 employees
- Owens Community College (education) – over 3,000 employees
- Johns Manville (manufacturing) – over 1,000 employees
- Lutheran Social Services (social services) – over 1,000 employees
Some major companies headquartered in Toledo include Owens Corning, Owens-Illinois Inc., Pilkington, Libbey Inc., Dana Corporation, and TARTA.
The largest industries by number of workers in Toledo are healthcare, manufacturing, retail, education, and food services. The city’s central location and transportation infrastructure continue to support manufacturing and distribution hubs.
Transportation
Toledo benefits from extensive transportation infrastructure including highways, railroads, airports, and ports that support shipping and distribution. Some key assets include:
- Interstate 75 – Major north-south highway that connects Toledo to Detroit and cities across the midwest and southeast
- Interstate 80/90 – Transcontinental highway linking Toledo to eastern cities like Cleveland and western cities all the way to San Francisco
- Toledo Express Airport – International passenger airport with cargo capabilities
- Port of Toledo – Intermodal freight port on Lake Erie that can accommodate ocean-going vessels
- Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway – Regional railroad providing freight service
- Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) – Public transit provider operating bus routes throughout Lucas County
The excellent transportation access enables the movement of goods and people throughout the region supporting Toledo’s manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology, and service industries.
Culture and Tourism
Toledo has a rich cultural scene and many unique attractions to offer visitors and residents. Some popular destinations include:
- Toledo Zoo – One of the top zoos in the country featuring over 5,000 animals
- Toledo Museum of Art – Extensive collection of art and frequent visiting exhibits
- Fifth Third Field – Home of the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball team, part of the International League
- Huntington Center – Multi-purpose arena hosting concerts, sporting events, and conventions
- Toledo Walleye – East Coast Hockey League ice hockey team
- Metroparks of the Toledo Area – Extensive parks and nature preserves throughout the region
- Toledo Botanical Garden – 60 acres of cultivated gardens and glasshouse exhibits
- Glass Pavilion – Showcases Toledo’s history as “The Glass City” and the art of glassmaking
In addition, Toledo has a lively performing arts scene, great restaurants, and many festivals and events throughout the year. The city embraces its diversity and rich cultural history.
Education
Toledo Public Schools serves most of the city and suburban districts serve outlying areas. Higher education options include:
- University of Toledo – Public research university
- Owens Community College – Public two-year college
- Mercy College of Ohio – Private healthcare college
- Davis College – Private career college
Several private primary and secondary schools round out the education options in the Toledo area.
Quality of Life
Toledo provides an affordable cost of living compared to national averages. The city is located on Lake Erie providing residents with access to water sports and recreation. The metro parks system includes over 12,000 acres to explore. Neighborhoods range from urban to suburban styles. The city has dining, arts, sports, and other amenities typically found in much larger metro areas but with a more affordable Midwestern quality of life.
Conclusion
With its diverse economy, extensive transportation infrastructure, quality education systems, and range of entertainment options, Toledo offers an excellent place to live, work, and visit in northwest Ohio. The city has a rich past but continues to progress as an important hub in the Great Lakes region.