Sylvania

General Overview
The City of Sylvania is located in northwest Lucas County and on the west side of the City of Toledo. The population of the city and Township is approximately 46,000. The city is a very convenient community with shopping or entertainment and an easy commute to work. Compared to the rest of the country, Sylvania's cost of living is 8.94% lower than the U. S. average.

History
Sylvania was founded in 1833 by Judge William Wilson and General David White. The heavily forested location prompted adoption of its name. In its early years Sylvania served the farms and general residential community with saw mills, tannery, barrel stave factory, grist mills, livery stables, and blacksmith shops. It was the center of rural life in this area. The first school was erected in 1834, and it served until 1844 when the Old Stone Academy was build. Sylvania was incorporated into a village in 1867, and reached city status on January 1, 1961.

Government Services
Administration of the City of Sylvania is by a Mayor/Council form of government. Sylvania Township is governed by a three member Board of Trustees.

The City Police Department and the Township Police Force have full-time professional staffs.

The Fire Department, which serves both the City and the Township, maintains both a full-time and volunteer force utilizing 4 stations. The Fire Department is pleased to be on of the few departments in the area to provide Advanced Life Support on all first response apparatus from each station, everyday. Fire insurance ratings are Class 4 and 5 in the city, and Class 4, 5, and 9 in the Township.

Sylvania benefits from being a part of Lucas County’s Emergency medical Service, with a response unit located at No. 1 Fire Station. The community is also part of a county-wide 911 emergency phone system.

Tax Rates
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Sylvania: 1.6% $2,527.

Employment
Local industry represents manufacturing and services provided in the following categories: cement products, crushed limestone aggregate, tool manufacturing, paving materials and agricultural produce.

The area has an abundance of commercial, retail, service and office employment. The larger employers in the area are:

• Flower Memorial Health Complex
• Lourdes College
• Maritz Research
• Impact Products
• Canberra Corporation

Recreational
In the immediate area there are many public parks, numerous playing fields and tennis courts, two indoor ice arenas, four private tennis clubs, a natatorium and several outdoor swimming facilities, and two country clubs with 18 hole golf courses. Sylvania’s Highland Meadows Golf Club is home to the LPGA Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Golf Tournament, held in June.

Civic, Fraternal, Social Organizations
There are numerous local organizations in the Sylvania Community. The American Legion, Rotary, Exchange Club, Kiwanis, Moose, Elk, Business and Professional, Scouts, Jaycess, Chamber of Commerce, Sylvania Senior Center and fraternal, ethnic, and personal interest organizations are all active in Sylvania.