Toledo, Ohio facts for kids

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Toledo

City

Downtown Toledo

University of Toledo

Toledo Museum of Art

Lucas County Courthouse

Anthony Wayne Bridge

Fifth Third Field

Flag	Seal
Logo

Nickname(s):

The Glass City

Motto(s):

"Laborare est Orare" (To Work is to Pray)

Toledo

Location in Ohio

Toledo

Location in the United States

Founded

1837

Government

• Body

Toledo City Council

Area

• City

83.83 sq mi (217.12 km²)

• Land

80.49 sq mi (208.46 km²)

• Water

3.34 sq mi (8.66 km²)

Elevation

604 ft (184 m)

Population

(2020)

• City

270,871

• Estimate

(2023)

265,304

• Rank

US: 85th

• Density

3,365.36/sq mi (1,299.38/km²)

• Urban

497,952 (US: 85th)

• Urban density

2,068.6/sq mi (798.7/km²)

• Metro

606,240 (US: 93rd)

Demonym(s)

Toledoan

Time zone

UTC−5 (EST)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

ZIP Codes

Zip codes

Area codes

419, 567

FIPS code

39-77000

GNIS ID

1086537

Toledo is a city in Ohio, United States. It's the main city in Lucas County, Ohio. In 2020, about 270,871 people lived there. This makes Toledo the fourth largest city in Ohio. Only Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are bigger.

Toledo is also a major trading center for the Midwest. Its port is one of the busiest on the Great Lakes. The city was started in 1833. It grew quickly after the Miami and Erie Canal was finished in 1845. It also helped that Toledo was on a main railway line between New York City and Chicago.

Many glass factories opened in Toledo in the 1880s. This is how Toledo got its nickname, "The Glass City." Today, Downtown Toledo is being updated with new entertainment areas. Toledo is also home to the University of Toledo.

History of Toledo

The land where Toledo is now was once home to Native American tribes. These included the Wyandot and the Council of Three Fires (made up of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa tribes). French traders came to the area around 1680. They were interested in the fur trade.

The Odawa tribe moved to this area at the invitation of the French. They settled along the Maumee River. They helped trade between the French and other tribes. The Wyandot lived in central Ohio, and the Shawnee and Lenape lived in the southern parts.

Early Settlements and Growth

American soldiers built Fort Industry around 1805. It was a temporary fort near Swan Creek. Later, in 1807, Native American tribes gave up a large area of land to the United States. This land became parts of Michigan and Ohio.

More American settlers moved in after the War of 1812. Around 1818, a group from Cincinnati bought land and named it Port Lawrence. This became the downtown area of Toledo. Another group started the town of Vistula nearby. These two towns joined together in 1833. They wanted to compete better to be the end point of a new canal.

The new settlement was named Toledo. One story says a merchant named Willard J. Daniels suggested it. He thought it was "easy to pronounce, is pleasant in sound, and there is no other city of that name on the American continent."

The Toledo War

Peter Navarre, a frontiersman and hero of the Battle of Lake Erie

From 1835 to 1836, Ohio and the Michigan Territory had a disagreement. It was called the Toledo War. They both claimed a strip of land that included Toledo. Both sides sent their militias to the border. But they never actually fought a battle. The only injury was a Michigan deputy sheriff who was stabbed in the leg with a penknife.

In the end, Ohio got the land where Toledo is. Michigan received a larger part of the Upper Peninsula in exchange.

Toledo's Expansion

Toledo grew slowly at first. But when the Miami and Erie Canal was finished in 1843, things changed. The canal connected Toledo to Lake Erie. This made it easier to transport goods. Many businesses moved to Toledo.

A bird's-eye view of Toledo in 1870

By the 1850s, Toledo's population grew very fast. In the second half of the 1800s, railroads became more important than canals. Toledo became a major railroad center. Many industries, like furniture, carriages, and glass, grew here. Many immigrant families also moved to the area.

The 20th Century and Beyond

Downtown Toledo in 1920, with the Cherry Street Bridge

In the 1920s, Toledo had one of the fastest rates of industrial growth in the United States. However, the city was hit hard by the Great Depression in the 1930s. Many projects were started to help people find jobs. These included building parts of the Toledo Zoo and expanding the Toledo Museum of Art.

After World War II, many African Americans moved to Toledo for factory jobs. The city faced economic challenges in the late 20th century. But people have worked to improve the city. They have created urban gardens and renovated old buildings.

On August 1, 2014, Toledo had a water emergency. A bloom of toxic blue-green algae formed in Lake Erie. It was right over Toledo's water intake pipe. This made the city's water unsafe. The Ohio National Guard helped deliver water to citizens. The warning lasted for almost three days.

In 2018, a company invested $700 million to build a new iron plant in East Toledo. This plant was finished in 2020 and created many jobs.

Geography of Toledo

The Maumee River as it passes through Toledo

Toledo is located where the Maumee River meets Maumee Bay, at the southern end of Lake Erie. The city covers about 84 square miles (217 square kilometers). About 3.4 square miles (8.6 square kilometers) of this is water.

Toledo is north of what was once a large swamp. This gave it another nickname: Frog Town. The city is also in an area called the Oak Openings Region. This is an important natural area with sandy oak forests.

Toledo is within 250 miles of many large cities. These include Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Chicago. It is also within 300 miles of Toronto, Ontario.

Toledo's Cityscape

Downtown Toledo's skyline from across the Maumee River

The Old West End is a famous neighborhood in Toledo. It has many historic Victorian and Arts & Crafts style houses.

In 1936, the first building completely covered in glass was built in Toledo. It was for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. This was a big step in architectural design.

Toledo also has many suburbs. Some in Ohio include Bowling Green, Maumee, and Perrysburg. Just across the state line in Michigan are suburbs like Lambertville, Michigan and Temperance, Michigan.

Toledo's Climate

Toledo has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid. July is the warmest month. Winters are cold and can have some snow. January is the coldest month. Lake Erie helps to make the weather a bit milder, especially in spring and fall.

Toledo gets about 37 inches (94 cm) of snow each year. This is less than some other cities near the Great Lakes. The sunniest month is July.

Algae Blooms in Lake Erie

Harmful blooms of blue-green algae have been a problem in Lake Erie since the late 1990s. These algae blooms can make the water look discolored and smell bad. They can also harm fish and create areas with low oxygen.

These large blooms are caused by agricultural runoff. This is when water from farms carries phosphorus into the lake. Phosphorus acts like a fertilizer for the algae. Warmer weather also helps the algae grow faster. Because Toledo is so close to the lake, its citizens are affected every year. These blooms can increase water bills and hurt local businesses like tourism and fishing.

Toledo's People

Toledo's population has changed over time. In 1870, many people living in Toledo who were born outside the U.S. came from Germany and Ireland.

Map of racial distribution in Toledo, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Other

In 2020, Toledo had 270,871 residents. About 23.3% of the people were under 18 years old. About 14.5% were 65 years or older. More than half of the population (51.1%) was female.

The average household income in Toledo was $41,671 in 2021. About 24.5% of the population lived in poverty. For education, 87.1% of adults aged 25 or older had graduated from high school. About 19.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

Toledo's Economy

One SeaGate, the tallest building in Toledo, is the location of Fifth Third Bank's Northwest Ohio headquarters.

Before the Industrial Revolution, Toledo was important as a port city. It was on the Great Lakes. When cars became popular, Toledo became known for making things. Both General Motors and Chrysler had factories here. For much of the 20th century, Jeep was the largest employer in Toledo.

Today, healthcare is the biggest employer in Toledo. This is partly because of the University of Toledo. Several large companies have their main offices in the Toledo area. These include Dana Holding Corporation, Owens Corning, and Owens Illinois.

The Glass City

Toledo is called the Glass City because of its long history with glass. Companies here have made windows, bottles, windshields, and glass art. The Toledo Museum of Art has a huge collection of glass art. Many big glass companies started here, like Owens-Illinois and Libbey Incorporated.

Cars and Green Jobs

Toledo has also been important for the car industry. It is the headquarters for Jeep. During World War II, Toledo factories made important products for the military, including the Willys Jeep. General Motors has also had a transmission plant in Toledo since 1916.

In recent years, Toledo has seen growth in "green jobs." These jobs are related to solar energy. Companies like Xunlight and First Solar have opened plants in the area. In 2019, Balance Farms started an indoor aquaponics farm in downtown Toledo.

Arts and Culture in Toledo

The Greek Revival entrance of the Toledo Museum of Art

Toledo has many places for fine and performing arts. These include the Toledo Opera, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and Toledo Ballet. There are also theaters like the Stranahan Theater and the historic Valentine Theatre.

The Toledo Museum of Art is in a Greek Revival building. Its concert hall, The Peristyle, is home to the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. The museum also has a new Glass Pavilion. Toledo was the first city in Ohio to have a "One Percent for Art" program. This means many public art pieces, like sculptures and murals, are around the city.

Music Scene

Toledo has a rich history of music, especially jazz. Famous jazz musicians like Art Tatum and Jon Hendricks came from Toledo. Other well-known singers and musicians with roots in Toledo include Teresa Brewer and Anita Baker.

Museums to Explore

The National Museum of the Great Lakes is in Toledo. You can learn about the history of the Great Lakes there. Next to it, you can visit the Col. James M. Schoonmaker, a former lake freighter that is now a museum.

The Imagination Station is a hands-on science museum downtown. It's a great place to learn through play. Tony Packo's Cafe is a famous restaurant known for its hot dogs. It has hot dog buns signed by many celebrities!

Sports in Toledo

Fifth Third Field, home of the Toledo Mud Hens baseball team

Toledo has several professional sports teams:

The Toledo Mud Hens play Baseball in the International League at Fifth Third Field.
The Toledo Walleye play Ice Hockey in the ECHL at Huntington Center.
The Glass City Rollers play Roller Derby in the WFTDA.
The Toledo Villa FC play Soccer in the USL League Two.

College Sports

The Glass Bowl is the home field of Toledo Rockets football

The University of Toledo has a sports team called the Toledo Rockets. They play in NCAA Division I. Their football team plays at the Glass Bowl stadium.

Toledo also has the Toledo Speedway, an auto racetrack. It hosts stock car races and concerts. The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) has its main office in Toledo.

Inverness Club is a famous golf club in Toledo. It has hosted many major golf championships.

Parks and Recreation

The Toledo Zoo pedestrian bridge

The Toledo Metroparks system has over 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) of land. It includes the University/Parks Trail for biking and the Toledo Botanical Garden.

The Toledo Zoo was the first zoo to have a hippoquarium exhibit, where you can see hippos underwater. In 2014, USA Today named it the #1 zoo in the country. The R. A. Stranahan Arboretum is a 47-acre (19 hectare) tree garden maintained by the University of Toledo.

Hollywood Casino Toledo opened in 2012.

Education in Toledo

University Hall at the University of Toledo

Colleges and Universities

The University of Toledo is a large public research university. It is the biggest college in Toledo. Tiffin University and Owens Community College also have campuses here. For health sciences, there is the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and Mercy College of Ohio.

Schools for Kids

The Toledo City School District runs public schools in much of the city. It is the fourth largest school district in Ohio. Some of its high schools include Bowsher High School and Scott High School.

Toledo also has many public charter schools. There are also private and religious schools. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo operates Catholic schools in the area.

Libraries for Learning

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is a highly-rated library system. It is one of the biggest-spending libraries in the United States.

Media in Toledo

Newspapers and Print

The Blade is Toledo's main daily newspaper. It started in 1835. The Toledo City Paper is a weekly newspaper about arts and entertainment. Other local newspapers include El Tiempo and Sojourner's Truth.

TV and Radio

Toledo has several TV stations, including WTOL (CBS), WTVG (ABC), and WNWO (NBC). There are also PBS stations WBGU and WGTE.

For radio, Toledo has many music stations playing different types of music. WSPD is the main news/talk radio station. WGTE-FM is Toledo's NPR station.

Transportation in Toledo

A 1955 Interstate planning map of Toledo

Highways and Bridges

Three major interstate highways go through Toledo. Interstate 75 (I-75) runs north and south. The Ohio Turnpike carries I-80/90 east and west. It connects Toledo to Chicago and Cleveland.

Interstate 280 connects the Ohio Turnpike to I-75. The Veterans' Glass City Skyway is part of this route. It's a tall bridge with a glass-covered tower that lights up at night. The Anthony Wayne Bridge is another famous bridge in Toledo. It's a suspension bridge that crosses the Maumee River.

Public Transport

Local bus service is provided by the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). For people with disabilities, there are special services called TARPS. You can also find intercity bus services like Greyhound Lines and Barons Bus Lines.

Airports

Toledo Express Airport is the main airport for the city. It's located in the suburbs. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is also nearby. There are also smaller airports for general aviation.

Trains

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serves Toledo. Its trains stop at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. This station was built in 1950. Toledo was the busiest Amtrak station in Ohio in 2011. Several freight train companies also operate in Toledo.

Healthcare in Toledo

ProMedica is a large healthcare organization based in Toledo. It has 13 hospitals in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. ProMedica Toledo Hospital is the largest hospital in the area.

Mercy Health - St. Vincent Medical Center is Toledo's first hospital. It is a top center for treating high-risk mothers and babies. It also has a Level I Trauma Center for children and adults.

Toledo also has 18 community health centers. These include the Cordelia Martin Community Health Center and the East Toledo Community Health Center.

Water Supply

Toledo gets its water from Lake Erie. The city's Water Treatment Division filters about 80 million gallons of water every day. This water serves 500,000 people in the Toledo area.

In August 2014, there was a problem with the water. Toxic algae in Lake Erie made the water unsafe to drink or use. The Ohio National Guard helped deliver bottled water to residents. The water ban was lifted after three days.

Sister Cities

Toledo has many sister cities around the world. The first one was Toledo, Spain, in 1931. This was the first sister city relationship in the United States!

Toledo's sister cities are: