Archbold, Ohio

1948 bobsleigh-train accident

At around 2:30 PM on Sunday, January 4, 1948, a 45-year-old farmer was driving his tractor that was pulling thirteen children that were riding on his lowing-slung farm utility bobsleigh amidst a light snowstorm when he stopped at an unguarded railroad crossing out of precaution. After looking in all directions, he proceeded to cross when he as he was halfway over, he "froze stiff" at the sight of an oncoming Chicago-bound New York Central Railroad passenger train that was travelling at an estimated 80 mph (around 125 kph). The engineer of the train stated that he spotted the tractor and attached bobsleigh more than a quarter of a mile away and despite knowing that his response would be too late, he proceeded to activate both the warning whistle and emergency brakes.^[10]

Ten children were pronounced dead at the scene while the other three survived despite being moderately injured. All of the deceased were siblings from three separate farming families. Two of the three injured passengers were the tractor operator's children.^[11] The largest loss of life in Fulton County history sent shockwaves across Ohio and across the country.^[12]

In an investigation made and concluded by the Fulton County Police Department, the primary cause of the accident was the engineer's failure of judgement.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Archbold had a population of 4,516. The median age was 43.4 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.0 males age 18 and over.^[15][16]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[17]

There were 1,881 households in Archbold, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.5% were married-couple households, 15.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[15]

There were 1,986 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 2.0%.^[15]

2010 census

As of the census^[18] of 2010, there were 4,346 people, 1,760 households, and 1,178 families living in the village. The population density was 881.5 inhabitants per square mile (340.3/km²). There were 1,876 housing units at an average density of 380.5 per square mile (146.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.5% White, 0.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 5.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.8% of the population.

There were 1,760 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the village was 41 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 4,290 people, 1,717 households, and 1,167 families living in the village. The population density was 1,009.2 inhabitants per square mile (389.7/km²). There were 1,807 housing units at an average density of 425.1 per square mile (164.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 91.54% White, 0.47% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 5.78% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.42% of the population.

There were 1,717 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 3.05.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,155, and the median income for a family was $52,050. Males had a median income of $37,243 versus $25,990 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,971. About 1.8% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.