Tiffin
cityTiffin, Ohio, is a city located in Seneca County, serving as its county seat. Situated along the Sandusky River, it lies approximately 55 miles southeast of Toledo. The city blends a rich history with its role as an educational hub, hosting both Heidelberg University and Tiffin University. Once known for its glass and porcelain manufacturing, Tiffin has received recognition as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The local economy is diverse, with key sectors including manufacturing, education, and healthcare. Tiffin has been recognized for its economic development success, attracting new investments and creating jobs. The city benefits from a collaborative approach to business growth, with various organizations working together to support economic development, workforce initiatives, and downtown revitalization. Tiffin's distinctive character is rooted in its history and architecture. The city is named after Edward Tiffin, Ohio's first governor. St. Paul's United Methodist Church holds the distinction of being the first public building in the world to be wired for electricity. Tiffin offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it a welcoming community for residents and visitors alike.
Tiffin, Ohio
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 39-76778
- Country
- United States
- County
- Seneca County
- Region
- North-central Ohio
- Elevation
- 722 ft
- Total Area
- 7.37 sq mi
- Land Area
- 7.23 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.14 sq mi
- Latitude
- 41.12444
- Longitude
- -83.17639
- Climate
- Tiffin has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The average temperature in the summer is in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, while the winter temperatures typically average around the mid-20s.
- Notable Features
- Sandusky River
- Neighboring Areas
- Toledo · Cleveland · Columbus
- Population (2020)
- 17,953
- Est. Population (2026)
- 17,576
- Median Age
- 34.1
- Median Income
- $56,198
- Poverty Rate
- 14.75%
- Family Households
- 51.4%
- Owner-Occupied
- 58.9%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Tiffin includes 89.02% White, 3.72% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other race, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 8 members
- School District
- Tiffin City School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library

















- Unemployment Rate
- 4.4%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Commercial · Industrial
- Employment Sectors
- Manufacturing · Education · Healthcare
- Schools
- 6
- Students
- 2,850
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- School Districts
- Tiffin City School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Heidelberg University · Tiffin University · Terra State Community College
- Transportation
- Major highways · Seneca County Airport · Cab service · Senior and national bus line
- Utilities
- Municipal water
- Major Facilities
- Mercy Hospital of Tiffin · Seneca County Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Hedges-Boyer Park · Tiffin Bark Park
- Parks & Trails
- 18 parks encompassing roughly 200 acres of parkland · Recreational trails
- Founded
- 1821
- Incorporated
- 1835
- Named After
- Edward Tiffin, first governor of Ohio
- Historical Significance
- Tiffin played a significant role in the early development of Seneca County and Northwest Ohio, evolving from a military outpost and agricultural center to a manufacturing and educational hub.
- Key Events
- Fort Ball established in 1813 as a military depot during the War of 1812 · Josiah Hedges founded a settlement on the south bank of the Sandusky River in 1821 and named it Tiffin · Tiffin was designated as the county seat of Seneca County in 1824 · Tiffin officially incorporated on March 7, 1835 · Fort Ball absorbed by Tiffin in 1850
