Quality of Life

Download a Toledo Community Profile here for information on the region.

Located on western Lake Erie, this area offers all the attributes of a large cosmopolitan city, while maintaining a small town atmosphere and charm. Plenty of recreational, sporting, and cultural activities can be found year round in Northwest Ohio. The area is home to an extensive Metropark system, a nationally recognized zoo and symphony orchestra, a world-renowned museum of art, and a variety of neighborhood festivals. Sports enthusiasts don't even have to leave town to catch live action as Toledo is home to the Mud Hens minor league baseball team and the Storm minor league hockey team. All of these combine to make Northwest Ohio a great place to work, live and play.

HOSPITALS

Nine hospitals in the Toledo area, with a total bed capacity of more than 2,600, offer a full range of services, including specialized diagnostic, therapy and treatment centers that utilize the newest developments in medicine and technology. The metro area boasts doctors, nurses, specialists and technicians who are among the most experienced and well-trained in the nation. Area medical facilities, including a medical college, have distinguished themselves in a number of specialties and are complemented by neighborhood health care centers, specialized hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, and fitness programs. All area hospitals participate in most commercial insurance plans. Enrollment in various managed care plans is a very dynamic process and can change frequently; therefore, HMO information will be provided upon request for hospitals in Northwest Ohio.

Major Medical Facilities In Toledo MSA

Medical Facility	# of Beds	Street Address	Phone Number
Bay Park Community Hospital	70 beds	2801 Bay Park Dr. Oregon, OH 43616	(419) 690-7900
Flower Hospital	256 beds	5200 Harroun Sylvania, OH 43560	(419) 824-1444
Medical University & Hospitals of Ohio	319 beds	3000 Arlington Toledo, OH 43699	(419) 383-4000
St. Anne Mercy Hospital	80 beds	3404 West Sylvania Toledo, OH 43623	(419) 407-2663
St. Charles Mercy Hospital	287 beds	2600 Navarre Ave. Oregon, OH 43616	(419) 696-7200
St. Luke's Hospital	189 beds	5901 Monclova Rd. Maumee, OH 43537	(419) 893-5911
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center	580 beds	2213 Cherry St. Toledo, OH 43608	(419) 321-3232
The Toledo Hospital	705 beds	2142 N. Cove Blvd. Toledo, OH 43606	(419) 291-4000
Wood County Hospital	132 beds	950 W. Wooster Bowling Green, OH 43402	(419) 354-8900
Source: February 2004

Occupational Health Program

Some of the area hospitals have developed programs to respond to the special healthcare needs of business. Various services offered by some area hospitals are listed below. For more specific information on the Occupational Health Programs, either contact RGP or any of the hospitals listed above.

Occupational Health Services

Treatment/Management of Worker Injury

Employee Physicals/Drug Testing

Executive Physical Program

Wellness and Health Promotion

On-site wellness programs include: blood-borne pathogens; CPR Training; Back Injury

Prevention; Pulmonary Function Test; health screening (cholesterol and blood sugar)

EDUCATION

Toledo/Northwest Ohio has a strong, ongoing commitment to education from kindergarten through postdoctoral training. The bond between businesses and education institutions in Northwest Ohio has a strong impact on the area's cultural, social and economic life. Industries and business continually seek higher education and training and cultural enrichment for their employees. Conversely, education institutions rely on local businesses and industries for financial support and career placement for their graduates.

Private Schools

Over 100 private and parochial schools are located in Toledo/Northwest Ohio. The majority are within Toledo and have programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade. For specific details on these schools, contact the RGP at (419) 252-2700.

Public School System

The Ohio Department of Education requires school districts to issue 4^th grade, 6^th grade and 9^th grade proficiency tests that focus on five key areas: citizenship, mathematics, reading, science and writing, and the Ohio Graduation Test for 10^th grade students that focuses on reading & mathematics. (The 12^th grade proficiency tests were eliminated in 2002 in accordance with Senate Bill 1).

There are approximately 24 K-12 public school districts and 56 private schools are located in the Toledo MSA. The 1998 student enrollment and proficiency in Lucas County and the other counties in Northwest Ohio school districts follows.

School Districts In Toledo MSA

County	# of Districts	# Total Students (2002-2003)	Avg. Teacher's Salary	% of Graduates	% Honors Graduates		10th Grade Proficiency % passed
Lucas	8	63,558	$49,459	89%	23%		85%
Fulton	7	8,826	$41,824	91%	22%		87%
Wood	9	17,253	$45,598	92%	19%		86%
Toledo MSA	24	89,637	$45,627	91%	21%		86%
Source: Ohio Department of Education, March 2004

Educational Breakout of Lucas and Wood Counties

Lucas, Fulton & Wood County School Districts	10th grade proficiency test - % passed	% of graduates (2002-2003)
Lucas County
Anthony Wayne	90	3,594
Maumee City	87	2,805
Oregon City	77	3,740
Ottawa Hills Local	98	933
Springfield Local	82	3,657
Sylvania City	90	7,545
Toledo City	63	34,570
Washington Local	81	6,714
Wood County
Bowling Green City	83	3,047
Eastwood	84	1,822
Elmwood	82	1,204
Lake Local	83	1,725
North Baltimore	85	815
Northwood	90	966
Otsego	85	1,591
Perrysburg	93	4,151
Rossford	84	1,932
Fulton County
Archbold	93	1,413
Evergreen Local	84	1,280
Gorham Fayette Local	71	488
Pettisville	90	536
Pike-Delta-York	85	1,575
Swanton	80	1,520
Wauseon	89	2,014
Source: Ohio Department of Education, March 2004

Colleges and Universities

There are 33 colleges, universities and community colleges within 60 miles of Toledo, accounting for one of highest such concentrations in the United States. With an enrollment of more than 71,000 undergraduate and graduate students, northwest Ohio offers a comprehensive selection of higher education programs including nationally recognized schools of engineering, pharmacy, education, business, law and medicine.

4-Year Universities and Colleges in the Region

University of Toledo
2801 Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, (419) 537-4242.
A comprehensive metropolitan university, UT has eight colleges that offer more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs to its 20,800 students. The University of Toledo offers a diverse curriculum from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees. Colleges include Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education and Allied Professions, Engineering, Pharmacy, Health and Human Services and Law, along with Graduate School and University College Programs. Many of the courses are custom-designed for certain employers or for the students' needs. The University of Toledo (UT) is one of the fastest-growing research enterprises among Ohio's public colleges and universities. UT employs more than 5,000 people and has a $565 million annual impact on Ohio. Under the Ohio's capital improvements bill, UT recently built a $20 million Engineering building and a new $33 million Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Life Sciences building. In addition, UT purchased 100 residential properties in 1994 along Dorr Street and has reoriented the campus toward a Dorr Street entrance.

Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43402, (419) 372-2531.
Bowling Green State University (BGSU), with enrollment of about 20,400 students, is a multi-dimensional, four-year institution which offers almost 200 different degree programs on the bachelor’s, masters and doctoral levels.  The university offers a world-class education amid the safety and beauty of small-town America.  BGSU runs on a semester system with three summer sessions

Defiance College
Defiance, Defiance County.
Defiance College is a four-year liberal arts college with an enrollment of over 1,000 students. The college offers 30 undergraduate programs along with five "signature" academic programs that include accounting with CPA track, criminal justice, elementary education, restoration ecology, and social work. 

Defiance College has been able to build its $4.1 million Pilgrim Library, renovate its two primary residence halls, and construct a 16,417-square-foot athletic complex. Defiance College has also established a cooperative education program with local businesses and industries.

Heidelberg College . Defiance College has established a cooperative education program with local businesses and industries. Also, an accelerated Business Management program is available.

Heidelberg, which was established in 1850, was the first institution of higher education to be accredited in northwest Ohio. It offers 30 courses of study in 17 major fields of concentration, awarding bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music and master of arts degrees. For the nontraditional students, Heidelberg offers weekend college classes at the Tiffin campus, and accelerated evening classes at the Maumee campus, in Arrowhead Park.  Opportunities for practical experience in research are available through Heidelberg's nationally recognized water quality laboratory.

Lourdes College
6832 Convent, Sylvania, OH 43560, (419) 885-3211.
Lourdes College is a Franciscan college with an enrollment of more than 1,300 students. It offers four bachelor degree programs in such areas as nursing, criminal justice, and occupational therapy, thirteen associate degrees and adult learning courses.

Lourdes is the first college to enter into an accelerated MBA program with the University of Toledo, allowing a Lourdes student to obtain a UT master of business administration degree in one year. The college also offers pre-professional programs in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The college claims a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, and one of the lowest private college tuitions in the state.

Medical University of Ohio
3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, (419) 381-4172.
The Medical University of Ohio’s (MUO) goal since it first opened its doors in 1964 has been to provide quality health care education to its more than 1,000 students. The University is comprised of four specialized schools including the School of Medicine, School of Allied Health, School of Nursing and Graduate School.  MUO operates three teaching hospitals on its 450-acre campus.

Tiffin University
Tiffin, Seneca County (800) 968-6446.
Established in 1888, this independent university offers master's and bachelor's degrees in business administration, and bachelor's degrees in liberal studies and criminal justice, with a wide variety of majors in each of those areas and a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs. The college was ranked fifth nationally among excellence by U.S.News and World Report's 1995 college guide. Classes are offered in Clyde, Fostoria, Mansfield, Upper Sandusky, and Willard.

Community and Technical Colleges

Owens Community College
PO Box 10,000, Toledo, OH 43699-1947, (419) 666-0580.
With an enrollment of over 18,400, Owens Community College offers more than 100 career oriented degrees and certificates in agriculture, business, health, public service, industrial and engineering technologies.

During the past five years, the College has built a new Library, new Math/Science Center, new Audio/Visual Classroom Center and new Student Health & Activities Center. Owens Community College offers the lowest tuition of any college or university in Northwest Ohio.

Davis College
4747 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH 43623, (419) 473-2700.
Davis College, with an enrollment of approximately 450, offers associate degrees in business, computers, medical assisting, interior design, commercial art and fashion merchandising. Davis also offers a professional pilot training program. Davis College is one of only 20 proprietary schools in the nation to receive accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college has an aviation/flight school center in Lambertville, Mich., where students can earn instrumentation and commercial pilot's licenses. Davis says more than 90 per cent of its graduates find jobs in their chosen fields.

Stautzenberger College
5355 Southwyck Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614, (419) 866-0261.
With more than 500 students enrolled, Stautzenberger College specializes in business training, including secretarial, travel and tourism, electronics and medical assisting.  Many students already hold an Associate or Bachelor degree in related or unrelated areas. Their common goal is to train in the shortest time possible for a new career or career advancement.

Firelands College of Bowling Green State University
Huron, Erie County.
Firelands offers certificate and associate degree programs in four major fields of study, plus pre-baccalaureate programs. Graduate courses in several degree areas and a wide variety of non-credit courses are available to fill the continuing education needs.

Northwest State Community College
Defiance, Defiance County (419) 267-5511, ext. 320
Northwest State Community College is the fastest growing college in Ohio, with 2,272 students registered in 1999. NW State offers associate degrees and certificate programs in business, engineering technologies and health and human services. The engineering technology programs include: mechanical; CAD/CAM and journeyman and apprenticeship. A new $7.2 million engineering technology center is scheduled to open in 1996. The college broke ground on a $73-million engineering technology facility in 1997.

Terra Community College
Fremont, Sandusky County (419) 334-8400.
Terra Community College offers customized training programs that focus on the needs of industry and a broad range of topics and flexible scheduling. Courses target the specific training needs of a business through cooperative planning. The college's Community and Industrial Development Center is a one-stop shop for business needs assessment. Terra Community College provides training and technology resources to the auto related industries, and is home to the nation's only Plastics Color Matching Program.  In December of 1996, the engineering technology department moved into a new $6 million building at the new campus on the southwest side of town. The Technology, Science and Communications Division are located here, as are labs for chemistry, physics, plastics, robotics and CAD.

Monroe County Community College
Monroe Michigan (313) 242-7300, ext.205.
With an enrollment of over 3,500, Monroe Community College offers various programs that lead either to an associate degree, certificate, or a four-year degree. A selection of programs available include: automotive engineering technology; business; drafting and design technology; manufacturing technology and welding technology.

HOUSING

Housing Availability and Cost

In 2002, 7,557 houses were sold with an average price of $127,017, according to the Toledo Board of Realtors. Houses are very affordable in the Toledo area compared to the national sales price of $185,025 in 2002. The monthly cost of renting a 2 bedroom apartment in the Toledo MSA is about $500.

Home Purchases

PRICE RANGE HOMES SOLD	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
$50-59,999	509	501	436	380	446	335	293	292
$80-89,999	377	417	431	474	691	593	552	627
$90-99,999	255	269	288	345	509	476	482	614
$100-119,999	462	463	440	539	824	746	832	882
$120-139,999	338	441	480	503	755	723	762	826
$140-159,999	259	308	317	395	520	520	557	572
$200-249,999	187	222	236	333	389	383	411	476
$250-299,999	73	90	92	107	196	185	224	259
$300-399,999	60	90	96	100	160	147	179	183
$400-499,999	20	30	25	46	46	51	58	62
Average Sale Price	$97,144	$104,489	$108,989	$115,730	$117,267	$122,773	$127,359	$127,017
Source: Toledo Board of Realtors

Cost of Living

The American Chamber of Commerce Research Association (ACCRA) collects and reports cost of living indexes for U.S. metropolitan areas based on local price survey results. Metro areas are ranked above, below or equal to 100, with 100 being the national average. The table below shows the indexes for the Toledo MSA.

ACCRA SURVEY (Ten year history results)

The table below shows comparative indexes for Toledo and other various cities in Ohio. The composite index is based on a national index of 100.

Buying Power<