Findlay People Who Think They Are Better Than Everyone Else, Including Fostorians

December 22, 2025

Have you ever overheard someone at Applebee’s bragging about how much better life is just because they live in Findlay? You know the type—loudly proclaiming that Findlay is superior to surrounding towns, especially looking down on folks from Fostoria. It’s a classic case of small-town superiority complex, where some residents act like their zip code makes them elite. (Similar to little man syndrome.)

Let’s be real: Findlay isn’t some upscale enclave. It’s a solid Midwest city with a population around 40,000, home to the University of Findlay, Marathon Petroleum headquarters, and plenty of manufacturing jobs. But wealthy? Not exactly. Recent U.S. Census data shows Findlay’s median household income hovering around $57,000–$58,000 annually. That’s decent for northwest Ohio, but it’s below the state median of about $69,000 and well under national averages for truly affluent areas.

Compare that to nearby Fostoria, a smaller town of about 13,000 people just 20 minutes away. Fostoria’s median household income is roughly $52,000–$53,000—slightly lower, sure, but not a massive gap that justifies any holier-than-thou attitudes. Both towns are working-class communities dealing with similar Rust Belt realities: factories, farms, and family-oriented living.

So where does this perceived snobbery come from? Maybe it’s the bigger shopping options in Findlay, like more chain restaurants or the flagship status in Hancock County. Perhaps it’s the corporate presence giving a boost to local economy. Or it could just be that bubble effect—some people rarely venture beyond their city limits and assume their hometown is the pinnacle of civilization.

The truth is, to really understand how ordinary Findlay is, you have to leave it occasionally. Drive to Toledo, Columbus, or even Cleveland, and you’ll see real urban amenities and higher-income suburbs. Findlay (and Fostoria) are great places to live—affordable housing, low crime relative to big cities, community events, and that classic Ohio friendliness (most of the time). But neither is a luxury destination warranting elitism.

At the end of the day, we’re all northwest Ohioans sharing the same highways, weather, and high school football rivalries. Looking down on neighbors from the next town over? That’s just unnecessary. Let’s celebrate what makes our region strong without the unnecessary one-upmanship.

What do you think—have you encountered this Findlay attitude? Or is it all in good fun? Sound off in the comments.

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau and recent demographic reports as of 2023–2025. Opinions expressed are observational and meant to spark friendly discussion.

Tags: #FindlayOhio #Fostoria #SmallTownLife #OhioHumor #NorthwestOhio