City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Fostoria, OH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Fostoria - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

12,671
Residents
$52,943
Median income
$81,500
Median home
$1,007
Median rent (state)

Fostoria - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Fostoria places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 69th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
69th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Fostoria, OH

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 12,671 residents in Fostoria, a small town within Ohio. Median household income here is $52,943 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.6%. Typical homes in Fostoria are valued around $81,500, and the median resident age is 38.8 years. Educational attainment runs 10.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 50% from five years earlier. Fostoria reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 882.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Ohio at 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,007 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $228 across Ohio, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 46.9 out of 100 (Low).

Population

12,671 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$52,943 /yr

Poverty 13.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Fostoria compare to other US cities?

Fostoria measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 69% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Ohio, Fostoria ranks #105 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fostoria against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Ohio only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Ohio-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Fostoria near the bottom of Ohio's cities

Among the 1,164 Ohio cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Fostoria ranks #1,080 - the 7th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fostoria only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#850 of 1,145
26th percentile in Ohio
Median Gross Rent
#750 of 1,196
37th percentile in Ohio
Median Home Value
#1,080 of 1,164
7th percentile in Ohio
Poverty Rate
#299 of 1,196
75th percentile in Ohio
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#920 of 1,196
23rd percentile in Ohio

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Ohio only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile
69thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 69th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fostoria's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fostoria's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 60 Avg. percentile National median
Fostoria's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Fostoria's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$81,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Fostoria $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fostoria, OH Fostoria, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fostoria, OH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Fostoria, OH median $52,943/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Fostoria, OH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Fostoria, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
12,671
Median Income
$52,943
Median Home Value
$81,500
Median Age
38.8
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
882.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
168.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
713.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,900 residents12,950 residents13,000 residents13,050 residents13,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,048 residents 12,920 residents ▼ -1.0%
Fostoria's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 4
2021 5
2022 4
2023 1
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.7%
Carpool
16.0%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
2.1%
Other
2.0%

Based on 5,612 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Ohio - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$78
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$228
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Ohio state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Ohio state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fostoria sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,007/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
46.9 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Wickliffe
12,639 people
Wilmington
12,637 people
Greenville
12,748 people
Amherst
12,796 people
Amelia
12,482 people
Bedford
12,960 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fostoria's 12,671 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sarasota Springs, FL
12,669 people
Robinson, TX
12,668 people
Eufaula, AL
12,664 people
Enumclaw, WA
12,663 people
Verde, AZ
12,662 people
Canóvanas zona urbana, PR
12,662 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fostoria's $52,943 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hollister, ID
$52,946 median income
Lafayette, IN
$52,946 median income
Saluda, NC
$52,946 median income
Angustura, NM
$52,948 median income
Scottsboro, AL
$52,949 median income
Roscoe, TX
$52,935 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fostoria, OH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Fostoria, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.0% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.8% White 82.0% Black or African American 4.3% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 7.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Fostoria compares to nearby Ohio cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Fostoria (this city) 12,671 $52,943
Wickliffe 12,639 $79,052
Wilmington 12,637 $52,661
Greenville 12,748 $46,664
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fostoria, OH?

What is the population of Fostoria, OH? +

Fostoria, OH counts 12,671 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fostoria, OH? +

The median household income in Fostoria is $52,943 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fostoria? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fostoria; the closest available measure is the Ohio state average, a cost of living index of 92.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Ohio vary by metro area.

Is Fostoria, OH safe? +

Fostoria has a total crime rate of 882.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Fostoria, OH? +

A typical home in Fostoria is worth $81,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.