Findlay, Ohio facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Findlay, Ohio
City
Downtown Findlay
Nickname(s): Flag City, USA
Findlay, Ohio Location in Ohio Show map of Ohio Findlay, Ohio Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Hancock
Area
• Total	19.74 sq mi (51.21 km²)
• Land	19.64 sq mi (50.87 km²)
• Water	0.13 sq mi (0.34 km²)
Elevation	781 ft (238 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	40,313
• Estimate (2023)	40,139
• Density	2,052.49/sq mi (792.49/km²)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	45839-45840
Area code(s)	419, 567
FIPS code	39-27048
GNIS feature ID	1086245
Website	www.findlayohio.gov

Findlay (pronounced FIN-lee) is a city in Ohio, United States. It is the main city of Hancock County. Findlay is the second-largest city in Northwest Ohio. It is located about 40 miles (64 km) south of Toledo. In 2020, about 40,313 people lived there.

Findlay is known for being home to the University of Findlay. It is also where Marathon Petroleum, a very large company, has its main office.

History of Findlay

Early Beginnings

During the War of 1812, a man named Colonel James Findlay built a road and a fort. This fort was called Fort Findlay. It helped protect troops in the Great Black Swamp area. After the war, the community of Findlay started. The first town areas were planned in 1821.

A Stop on the Underground Railroad

Before the Civil War, Findlay was an important stop. It was part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

Oil Boom and Famous Visitors

In the 1880s, Findlay became a busy center for oil and natural gas. However, the oil supply became much smaller by the early 1900s.

In 1884, Findlay hosted a big music festival. A young cornet player named Warren G. Harding competed there. He later became the 29th President of the United States.

A Song and New Technology

In 1908, a songwriter named Tell Taylor wrote a famous song. It was called "Down by the Old Mill Stream." He wrote it while fishing by the Blanchard River in Findlay.

In the early 1960s, Findlay was special. For three months, it was the only place in the world with touch-tone telephone service. This new phone service started there on November 1, 1960.

Geography of Findlay

Findlay is located at about 41 degrees North and 83 degrees West. The city covers an area of about 19.25 square miles (50 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

The Blanchard River flows through Findlay. It runs from east to west.

Findlay also has a very large water storage area. It is called the Findlay Reservoir No. 2. It is the biggest above-ground reservoir in Ohio. It can hold about 5 billion gallons of water.

Population of Findlay

How Many People Live Here?

Findlay has grown a lot over the years. In 1830, only 52 people lived here. By 2020, the population was 40,313.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1830	52	—
1840	469	801.9%
1850	1,256	167.8%
1860	2,467	96.4%
1870	3,315	34.4%
1880	4,633	39.8%
1890	18,553	300.5%
1900	17,613	−5.1%
1910	14,858	−15.6%
1920	17,021	14.6%
1930	19,363	13.8%
1940	20,228	4.5%
1950	23,845	17.9%
1960	30,344	27.3%
1970	35,800	18.0%
1980	35,533	−0.7%
1990	35,703	0.5%
2000	38,967	9.1%
2010	41,202	5.7%
2020	40,313	−2.2%
2023 (est.)	40,139	−2.6%
Sources:

People in Findlay (2020)

In 2020, there were 40,313 people living in Findlay. Most people (about 84.6%) were White. About 2.5% were Black, and 2.3% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up about 7.9% of the population.

About 20.4% of the people were under 18 years old. About 17.2% were 65 years or older. The city has slightly more females (51.8%) than males (48.2%).

Economy of Findlay

Findlay is home to many important companies.

Major Companies

For a long time, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company had its main office in Findlay. This company makes tires for cars and trucks. In 2021, another company, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, bought Cooper Tire.

Marathon Petroleum also has its main office in Findlay. This company deals with oil and gas. It became an independent company in 2011.

The Whirlpool Corporation has a huge dishwasher factory in Findlay. It is thought to be the largest dishwasher plant in the world.

Findlay also has several large distribution centers. These are places where goods are stored and sent out. Companies like Best Buy, Lowe's, and Campbell Soup Company have centers here.

Top Employers

Here are some of the biggest employers in Findlay:

#	Employer	Number of employees
1	Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center	3,155
2	Marathon Petroleum Corporation	2,188
3	Whirlpool Corporation	2,186
4	Goodyear	1,066
5	Findlay City Schools	897
6	The University of Findlay	550
7	Lowe's Distribution Center	524
8	McLane	510
9	Hancock County	484
10	Ball Metal	448

Culture and Events

Fun Things to Do

Findlay hosts many fun events throughout the year:

Boogie on Main Street – in June
Riverside Wine festival – in June
Flag City BalloonFest – in August
Rib-Off on Broadway – in August
Oktoberfest – in September
Findlay | Hancock County Halloween Parade – in October

Sports in Findlay

Findlay has been home to different sports teams. In the past, there were minor league baseball teams. These teams played between 1895 and 1941. One team, the Findlay Browns, was connected to the St. Louis Browns.

The city also had hockey teams. The Findlay Freedom played from 2006 to 2008. Then, the Findlay Grrrowl played Junior A hockey. In 2009, the Grrrowl won their league championship.

The University of Findlay has college sports teams. They play in Division II athletics. They are part of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

Transportation in Findlay

Getting Around

Findlay has an airport called Findlay Airport. However, it does not have regular passenger flights.

Several major highways pass through the city. These include Interstate 75, US 68, and US 224. Other state routes also run through Findlay.

In the past, passenger trains used to travel through Findlay. The last trains stopped running in 1959.

Education in Findlay

Schools for Younger Students

Findlay has schools for younger students. There are three intermediate schools for grades 3-5. There are also three primary schools for kindergarten to grade 2.

For many years, students went to one of three junior high schools. These were Donnell, Central, or Glenwood. New buildings for Donnell and Glenwood opened in 2013. The old Central building was once Findlay's high school. Part of it was made into a new Performing Arts Center.

Findlay High School

Findlay High School is a large high school. It has about 1,632 students in grades 9-12. Many of its teachers have advanced degrees.

Colleges and Universities

Findlay is home to the University of Findlay. This is a private university with over 4,100 students. It is well-known for its programs in Education and equestrian studies. Students studying horses can use the university's large farms.

Owens Community College is also in Findlay. It is a state school with about 2,391 students.

Winebrenner Theological Seminary is another school in Findlay. It is located next to the University of Findlay.

Public Library

The city has the main branch of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. The library started in 1888. It moved into an old post office building in 1935. The library building has been updated several times. In 2019, the library stopped charging late fees for books.

Notable People from Findlay

Many interesting people have come from Findlay:

Peggy Kirk Bell – a famous golfer.
Willard Harrison Bennett – an inventor.
Aaron Craft – a college basketball player.
Gavin Creel – a Tony Award-winning Broadway actor.
Russel Crouse – a Broadway playwright.
Jo Ann Davidson – Ohio's first female Speaker of the House.
Marie Dressler – a famous actress from silent films.
Ray Harroun – a race car driver and the first Indianapolis 500 winner.
Grant "Home Run" Johnson – a Negro league baseball player.
Dave Laut – an Olympic shot-putter.
Marilyn Miller – a Broadway star from the 1920s.
Michael G. Oxley – a Congressman.
Ben Roethlisberger – a former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.
Tell Taylor – the composer of "Down by the Old Mill Stream".