Mahoning Valley

❧

Wikipedia

Mahoning Valley
Youngstown–Warren, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Downtown Youngstown as viewed from Wean Park
Downtown Youngstown as viewed from Wean Park
Map of Youngstown–Warren–Salem, OH CSA
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
Largest cityYoungstown
Other citiesBoardman
Warren
Austintown
Niles
Salem
East Liverpool
Elevation
660–3,001 ft (200–915 m)
Population
 (2020[1])
 • Urban
320,901 (US: 127th)[2]
 • Urban density1,637.6/sq mi (632.3/km2)
 • Metro
430,591 (US: 125th)
 • CSA
532,468 (US: 87th)
GDP
[3]
 • Metro$24.990 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
4xxxx
Area codes330, 234

The Youngstown–Warren, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, typically known as the Mahoning Valley, is a metropolitan area in Northeast Ohio with Youngstown, Ohio, at its center. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) includes Mahoning and Trumbull counties.[4] As of the 2020 census, the region had a population of 430,591, making it the 125th-largest metro area in the country.[1]

Taking its name from the Mahoning River, the area has a large commuter population that works in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and their metropolitan areas. It is located in the Rust Belt, the former industrial region of the northern United States. The Youngstown–Warren–Salem combined statistical area adds the Salem micropolitan area and Columbiana County, Ohio to the region, increasing the total population to 532,468.[5] The Youngstown–Warren media market serves all three counties in the CSA, as well as the Pennsylvania counties of Mercer and Lawrence.

Steel industry

Although steel has been produced in the Mahoning Valley since the mid-1800s, after the Civil War, the valley was primarily known for its iron production. Conversion to steel manufacturing began during the economic depression of the 1890s.[6] The Mahoning Valley is suitable for steel manufacture because of "its proximity to the Lake Erie ports that receive iron ore…the coal fields of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia; and to limestone deposits."[7] The "25-mile stretch of steel mills and related industries" along the Mahoning River is similar to the Ruhr Valley in Germany."[7] Historically, it was part of the largest steel producing region in the world, leading to the historical "Steel Valley" moniker that the area shared with the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.[citation needed]

The local steel industry declined during the 1970s steel crisis. A notable plant closure occurred on September 19, 1977, when Youngstown Sheet and Tube abruptly closed its Campbell Works and furloughed 5,000 workers.[8] Today the area produces little steel, and is home to many scrap metal yards and aluminum plants.[9] A 2009 documentary, Steel Valley: Meltdown, addresses "the past, present and future of the Mahoning Valley" through the eyes of local experts, including one local organizer who stated, "We are the first generation completely removed from the days when steel mills were active."[10]

The Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation, founded in 1979, is active in economic revitalization and diversification. It owns two industrial parks, and has purchased local rail lines, including the Youngstown and Austintown Railroad and the Warren and Trumbull Railroad.[11]

Municipalities

Mahoning Valley's cities (dark blue) and villages and boroughs (light blue)

Largest municipalities

Pop rank City County State 2020 census 2010 census Change Peak population (year)
1 Youngstown Mahoning Ohio 60,06866,982−10.32%[12] 170,002 (1930)
2 Boardman Mahoning Ohio 40,21340,889−1.65%[13] 42,518 (2000)
3 Warren Trumbull Ohio 39,20141,557−5.67%[12] 63,494 (1970)
4 Austintown Mahoning Ohio 29,59429,677−0.28%[14] 33,636 (1980)
5 Niles Trumbull Ohio 18,44319,266−4.27%[12] 23,072 (1980)
6 Salem Columbiana Ohio 11,91512,303−3.15%[15] 14,186 (1970)
7 Struthers Mahoning Ohio 10,06310,713−6.07%[12] 15,631 (1960)
8 East Liverpool Columbiana Ohio 9,95811,195−11.05%[15] 26,243 (1970)
9 Girard Trumbull Ohio 9,6039,958−3.56%[15] 14,119 (1970)
10 Campbell Mahoning Ohio 7,8528,235−4.65%[15] 14,673 (1930)

Cities and villages

Townships

Demographics

CSA Population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900185,315—
1910245,53632.5%
1920353,36143.9%
1930445,68926.1%
1940462,6873.8%
1950515,46411.4%
1960616,01019.5%
1970644,3134.6%
1980644,9220.1%
1990600,895−6.8%
2000594,746−1.0%
2010556,976−6.4%
2020532,468−4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 602,978 people, 238,319 households, and 162,896 families residing within the MSA, which included Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The racial makeup of the MSA was 86.88% White, 10.78% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $36,071, and the median income for a family was $44,055. Males had a median income of $35,626 versus $23,186 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $18,547.

In July 2023, Mercer County, Pennsylvania was removed from the Youngstown–Warren MSA, renamed the Hermitage, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area and attached to the Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville, PA-OH-WV CSA.[4]

Results from the past four Presidential elections in the Mahoning Valley
County 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Area Density
Mahoning County 228,614238,823−4.27% 425 sq mi (1,100 km2) 538/sq mi (208/km2)
Trumbull County 201,977210,312−3.96% 637 sq mi (1,650 km2) 317/sq mi (122/km2)
Columbiana County 101,877107,841−5.53% 535 sq mi (1,390 km2) 190/sq mi (74/km2)

Transportation

Airports

The Youngstown–Warren area is served by one regional airport:

The area is also served by several county and local airports, including:

Major highways

Youngstown is directly served by I-680, which connects the city with Interstate 80, Interstate 76 (the Ohio Turnpike), and State Route 11. I-680 begins at a junction with I-80 and SR 11, the start of the latter two routes' concurrency, in Austintown Township. Traveling southeast, I-680 passes through Youngstown, exiting southward from the city. After running through south suburban communities, it reaches its terminus at the Ohio Turnpike (I-76) in Beaver Township. The SR 711 freeway begins at a junction with I-680 in Youngstown and runs northeast and north out of the city and Mahoning County before terminating at a junction with I-80 and SR 11, the end of the latter two routes' concurrency, in Liberty Township. In addition to non-freeway sections of US 62, US 422, SR 7 and SR 193, state routes SR 170, SR 289, SR 616 and SR 625 serve the city.

The Ohio Turnpike passes to the west and south of Youngstown. Coming from the Cleveland area to the northwest, the turnpike carries Interstate 80 (I-80). In Jackson Township, Mahoning County, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Downtown Youngstown, the turnpike has a junction with I-76 (coming from Akron to the west) and the two interstates swap rights-of-way; the turnpike continues to the southeast as I-76, on its way toward Pittsburgh. I-80 continues east, passing north of Youngstown, then crosses the Pennsylvania state line. Just 4 miles (6.4 km) into Pennsylvania, I-80 has a junction with Interstate 376, providing another connection to Pittsburgh.

Ohio State Route 11 (SR 11), a north–south freeway, runs to the west of Youngstown, joins a concurrency with I-80, traveling near the northwest of the city, then leaves the concurrency heading north; at some points SR 11 is no more than 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) from the city limits. The route runs south to East Liverpool on the Ohio River; running north, it passes close to Niles and Warren before reaching I-90 in northeast Ohio, finally terminating in Ashtabula at Lake Erie.

Public transit

The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) operates a metropolitan public busing system in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. In Columbiana County, the Community Action Rural Transit System (CARTS) operates a rural public busing system.

Colleges and universities

Jones Hall at Youngstown State University

The Mahoning Valley is home to a number of higher education facilities, including:

Sports

Mahoning Valley area teams
Club Sport League (Conf) Venue Location
Mahoning Valley Scrappers Baseball Collegiate summer baseball Eastwood Field Niles
Youngstown Nighthawks Indoor soccer Major Arena Soccer League 3 Farmer Jim's Sports Complex Cortland
Youngstown Phantoms Ice hockey United States Hockey League Covelli Centre Youngstown
Youngstown State University Penguins various NCAA (Horizon League, MVFC) various, including Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown

NCAA Division I sports are played in the region, with Youngstown State University fielding eight men's and ten women's teams.

Media

Print

The area is served mainly by zoned editions of The Vindicator out of Youngstown and the Tribune Chronicle in Warren. They are published together in broadsheet at the Tribune Chronicle in Warren. The two newspapers, along with the, Lisbon-based Morning Journal, were independent until in June 2019 it was announced that The Vindicator would cease publication by mid-August of the same year.[18] Although this newspaper carries the name of the old Vindicator,[19] its scope is comparatively limited, with the majority of previous Vindicator journalists not being carried over to the new edition.[20]

Other newspapers that print in Youngstown include bi-monthly The Business Journal, The Metro Monthly, and the bi-weekly The Jambar, published by the students of Youngstown State University on Tuesdays and Thursdays while classes are in session.

TV

WKBN-TV studio

Mahoning Valley is part of the Youngstown media market, which includes Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties in Ohio and Mercer County in Pennsylvania. As of 2024–25, with 263,000 television households, the Youngstown market is the nation's 118th largest, according to Nielsen Media Research.[21]

The market is served is served by four full power television stations.[22] including WFMJ-TV (channel 21, NBC, with The CW channel 21.2 under the WBCB call letters), WKBN-TV (channel 27, CBS), WYTV (channel 33, ABC, with MNTV on 33.2), and WNEO channel 45 (PBS).

Low power station WYFX-LD channel 62 serves as Youngstown's Fox affiliate, and is simulcast on WKBN 27.2.

Radio

The following stations are part of the Youngstown media market:

AM

FM

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ↑ United States Census Bureau (December 29, 2022). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register.
  3. ↑ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  4. 1 2 "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Table 2. Annual Estimates of the Population of Combined Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009 (CBSA-EST2009-02)". 2009 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2010-03-23. Archived from the original (CSV) on April 20, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  6. ↑ "Ohio: Rise and Fall of the Steel Industry in the Mahoning Valley". (Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots – Library of Congress). Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  7. 1 2 "Mahoning Valley". Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. Archived from the original on 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  8. ↑ Christie, Les. "The incredible shrinking city". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved 2004-04-24.
  9. ↑ Linkon, Sherry Lee; John Russo (2002). Steeltown U.S.A: work and memory in Youngstown. Lawrence, Kan.: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 978-0-7006-1161-4.
  10. ↑ Libecco, Katie (2009-09-19). "Local documentary gathers expert insight". Valley24.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  11. ↑ "Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation – Revitalizing the Mahoning Valley". Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Struthers city, Ohio; Hermitage city, Pennsylvania; Sharon city, Pennsylvania; Niles city, Ohio; Warren city, Ohio; Youngstown city, Ohio". www.census.gov. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "Decennials - Census of Population and Housing". 8 February 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  16. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  18. ↑ Mitchell, J. Breen (June 28, 2019). "Vindicator announces it will stop production". WFMJ-TV. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Tribune Chronicle acquires rights to Vindicator name | News, Sports, Jobs - Tribune Chronicle". Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  20. ↑ "So Youngstown will have a daily named The Vindicator after all. But it's a brand surviving, not a newspaper". Nieman Lab. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  21. ↑ "2024-2025 Nielsen DMA Ranking". Nielsen Media Research. September 28, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Ohio TV Information". Radio Station World. Retrieved November 20, 2007.

Further reading

  • Blue, Frederick J.; Jenkins, William D.; Lawson, William H.; Reedy, Joan M. (1995). Mahoning Memories: A History of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company. ISBN 0-89865-944-2.
  • Ruminski, Clayton J. Iron Valley: The Transformation of the Iron Industry in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley, 1802—1913 (Ohio State University Press, 2017).

41°15′N 80°43′W / 41.250°N 80.717°W / 41.250; -80.717