Northwood was originally Ross Township. It was the northernmost township in Wood County from its establishment on April 18, 1874 until December 1, 1962. Farms, gardens, orchards, and railroads covered the area located just south of east Toledo. In 1898 Edward Ford's glass factory was built along the Maumee River, which ultimately led to the incorporation of the village of Rossford in 1939 within the western portion of the township. Ross Township was then divided so that Rossford Township would serve as a barrier between Rossford and the remaining Ross Township. On December 1, 1962, Ross Township ceased to exist when it became incorporated as the city of Northwood, so aptly named because of its location at the top of Wood County. With its departure, Wood County dropped its number of townships from 20 to 19. The original boundary of Ross Township can be observed as follows: beginning at the southeastern corner of Northwood, thence westward along the southern border to Rossford, thence westward along the line of Elm Tree Street to the Maumee River, thence northeastward and eastward along the Lucas County border until the Ottawa County border, and thence southward to the point of beginning.
Government
The government consists of an elected Mayor, elected City Council, and appointed City Administrator. City Council consists of seven members, elected to four-year terms. The City Mayor is also elected to serve a four-year term.
Current Northwood Officials
James Barton, Councilman, Term ends 12/31/2023
Dean Edwards, Councilman, Term ends 12/31/2023
Patrick Huntermark, Councilman, Term ends 12/31/2021
Louis Fahrbach, Council President, Term ends 12/31/2021
Mark Stoner, Councilman, Term ends 12/31/2021
Randy Kozina, Councilman, Term ends 12/31/2021
Kelley Wills, Councilwoman, Term ends 12/31/2023
Edward Schimmel, Mayor, Term ends 12/31/2023
Bob Anderson, Administrator
Joel Whitmore, Fire Chief
Thomas Cairl, Police Chief
C. Drew Griffith, Magistrate
Government Services
Charter form of government, Mayor and seven City Council members elected at-large, City Administrator, Mayor's Court, City Clerk, Zoning Office, Income Tax Office, Finance Department and Street Department.
Police Department- Consists of a Chief of Police, a Captain, four Sergeants, twelve full-time Patrol Officers, a Dispatch Supervisor along with 3 other full-time dispatchers and 1 part-time dispatcher.
Fire Department- Part-paid department consisting of two fire stations with a part-time Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, District Chief, Captain, 5 Lieutenants and 26 on-call/part-time EMT's and Paramedics.
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,265 people, 2,025 households, and 1,463 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 2,135 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population. There were 2,025 households of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age in the city was 39 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 30.6% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,471 people, 2,024 households, and 1,493 families living in the city. The population density was 651.1 people per square mile. There were 2,121 housing units at an average density of 252.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 94.99% White, 0.60% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population. There were 2,024 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $51,071, and the median income for a family was $55,642. Males had a median income of $41,004 versus $27,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,967. About 6.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Primary-Secondary Education
The following schools fall within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Northwood:
Northwood High School is a public high school in Northwood. It is the only high school in the Northwood Local Schools district. The current Northwood High School is located in Northwood Schools built in 2017. At the end of the 2006–2007 school year, Northwood was awarded an "Excellent" rating by the state of Ohio in education. The graduation rate of the school district was just over the state minimum, coming in at 90.5%. The overall attendance average of the district was also over the state minimum at 95.9%. The district also met the standards on the adequate yearly progress in all six categories.
