Northwest Ohio


Northwest Ohio, or Northwestern Ohio, has multiple counties in the northwestern corner of the United States state of Ohio. This area borders Lake Erie, Southeast Michigan, and eastern Indiana. Some areas are also considered the Black Swamp area. The Toledo metropolitan area is also part of the region. Just like any other region, there is no boundary that is universally agreed upon boundary for Northwestern Ohio, as the entire area is defined differently by different people.
The area's population in 2000 was 1,639,144 and is declining in population, specifically in the northern regions. However, southern areas, such as Marion and Morrow Counties, and the City of Findlay are growing.

Largest municipalities

The City of Toledo serves as the principal city for the region of Northwest Ohio. Most of the region's television channels and radio stations are licensed in either Toledo, Perrysburg or nearby Bowling Green. Though Toledo is an industrial city, the region is primarily agriculture with relatively small centers of commerce in various locations. In recent years, Lucas County has seen a steep decline in population since 1970, whereas neighboring Wood County and Hancock County have experienced modest, yet steady, growth.
2018 rankCityCounty2018 estimate2010 CensusChangeHighest Population Metropolitan Statistical Area
1ToledoLucas383,818 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
2FindlayHancock41,324 Findlay, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area--
3LimaAllen53,734 Lima, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
4Bowling GreenWood31,578 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
5PerrysburgWood21,570 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
6SylvaniaLucas19,030 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
7DefianceDefiance16,783 Defiance, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area--
8FremontSandusky18,767 Fremont, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area--
9MaumeeLucas15,937 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--
10FostoriaHancock, Seneca, Wood16,037 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area--

Places considered within northwest Ohio

These places are or may be classified as being in Northwestern Ohio, depending on the definition being applied:

Counties and county seats

Other cities, villages, and townships

If a city is a county seat, it has been listed above according to the county in which it lies. Many of the cities, townships, and villages in Northwest Ohio are clustered in the Toledo MSA. This list is incomplete.

Cities

Villages

Townships

Toledo area townships

Extreme Northwest Ohio, or Far Northwestern Ohio, is a portion of Northwest Ohio best known as the Great Black Swamp area due to its natural history. The counties of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Williams in the state of Ohio are usually classified as Extreme Northwest Ohio.
According to the 2000 Census, the population of this portion of NW Ohio is 234,660. When Allen and Hancock counties are included, the population is 414,428. Just like any other region, there is no universally agreed-upon line for Northwestern Ohio, as the entire area is defined differently by the opinions of multiple people.

Principal Cities

Transportation

Airports

, in suburban Swanton, is the largest airport in northwest Ohio. Toledo Express is served by seven major passenger airlines, and has been named one of the five best small airports in the Midwest. Toledo Express is also a major air cargo center, serving as the international hub for BAX Global. Toledo Express has begun a $22 million renovation project; As of 2007, the airport has expanded and renovated the central gate area of its single terminal, and is seeking an airline to offer direct service to New York City.
Toledo Express also hosts the corporate flight departments of Owens-Illinois, Owens-Corning, Pilkington, and Dana Holding Corporation. Grand Aire Express offers charter and air taxi services from its base at the airport. In education, the airport is a base of operations for FlightSafety International and Toledo Public Schools' aviation program, with flight instruction also offered by the airport's two fixed-base operators, who also provide fuel, repair, and storage for general aviation aircraft. Additionally, Toledo Express is a base for F-16 fighter jets of the Ohio Air National Guard, which has provided the airport additional funding for runway lengthening and safety enhancements.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport to the north, Port Columbus International Airport to the southeast, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to the east are the major or hub airports serving residents of Northwest Ohio. Detroit Metro is a "fortress hub" for Delta Air Lines and offers both domestic and international flights. Cleveland Hopkins is a hub for United Airlines and offers both domestic and international flights.
Charter and air taxi service is also available at several smaller airports, such as Toledo Metcalf Field, Findlay Airport, and Lima Allen County Airport. General aviation users can also land at any one of approximately 40 public-use airports in Northwest Ohio.
KFDY has both the second and third largest runway in Northwest Ohio with runway 18/36 at 6449 x 100 ft and runway 7/25 at 5883 x 100 ft. Runway 18/36 is capable of allowing aircraft such as the Boeing 767-200 to land and than take-off at MTOW if needed. KTOL has the largest runway in Northwest Ohio at 10,600 x 150 ft, making it capable of handling nearly any aircraft at MTOW.

Notable people