Mahoning Valley
Youngstown–Warren, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area
Metropolitan Area
Downtown Youngstown as viewed from Wean Park
Downtown Youngstown as viewed from Wean Park
Map
Youngstown–Warren–Salem, OH CSA
Country United States
State Ohio
Largest cityYoungstown
Other citiesBoardman
Warren
Austintown
Niles
Salem
East Liverpool
Elevation
660–3,001 ft (200–915 m)
Population
 (2020[2])
 • Urban
320,901 (US: 127th)[1]
 • Urban density1,637.6/sq mi (632.3/km2)
 • Metro
430,591 (US: 125th)
 • CSA
532,468 (US: 87th)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
4xxxx
Area code(s)330, 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.[3] As of the 2020 census, the region had a population of 430,591, making it the 125th-largest metro area in the country.[2]

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.[4] The Youngstown–Warren media market serves all three counties in the CSA, as well as the Mercer County, Pennsylvania and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

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.[5] 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."[6] The "25-mile stretch of steel mills and related industries" along the Mahoning River is similar to the Ruhr Valley in Germany."[6] 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.[7] Today the area produces little steel, and is home to many scrap metal yards and aluminum plants.[8] 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."[9]

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.[10]

Municipalities

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

Largest municipalities

Population rank City County State 2020 census 2010 census Change Peak population (year)
1 Youngstown Mahoning Ohio 60,068 66,982 −10.32%[11] 170,002 (1930)
2 Boardman Mahoning Ohio 40,213 40,889 −1.65%[12] 42,518 (2000)
3 Warren Trumbull Ohio 39,201 41,557 −5.67%[11] 63,494 (1970)
4 Austintown Mahoning Ohio 29,594 29,677 −0.28%[13] 33,636 (1980)
5 Niles Trumbull Ohio 18,443 19,266 −4.27%[11] 23,072 (1980)
6 Salem Columbiana Ohio 11,915 12,303 −3.15%[14] 14,186 (1970)
7 Struthers Mahoning Ohio 10,063 10,713 −6.07%[11] 15,631 (1960)
8 East Liverpool Columbiana Ohio 9,958 11,195 −11.05%[14] 26,243 (1970)
9 Girard Trumbull Ohio 9,603 9,958 −3.56%[14] 14,119 (1970)
10 Campbell Mahoning Ohio 7,852 8,235 −4.65%[14] 14,673 (1930)

Cities, villages, and boroughs

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[15]

As of the census[16] 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.

Results from the past four Presidential elections in the Mahoning Valley
County 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Area Density
Mahoning County 228,614 238,823 −4.27% 425 sq mi (1,100 km2) 538/sq mi (208/km2)
Trumbull County 201,977 210,312 −3.96% 637 sq mi (1,650 km2) 317/sq mi (122/km2)
Columbiana County 101,877 107,841 −5.53% 535 sq mi (1,390 km2) 190/sq mi (74/km2)

Transportation

Airports

The Youngstown–Warren area is served by one regional and several county and local airports, including:

Major highways

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

Main article: Youngstown, Ohio § Sports
Mahoning Valley area teams
Club Sport League (Conf) Venue Location
Mahoning Valley Scrappers Baseball New York–Penn League Eastwood Field Niles
Youngstown Phantoms Ice hockey United States Hockey League Covelli Centre Youngstown
Youngstown Nighthawks Indoor soccer Premier Arena Soccer League Farmer Jim's Sports Complex Cortland
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.

See also

References

  1. ^ United States Census Bureau (December 29, 2022). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Ohio: Rise and Fall of the Steel Industry in the Mahoning Valley". (Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots – Library of Congress). Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  6. ^ a b "Mahoning Valley". Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. Archived from the original on 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  7. ^ Christie, Les. "The incredible shrinking city". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved 2004-04-24.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Libecco, Katie (2009-09-19). "Local documentary gathers expert insight". Valley24.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  10. ^ "Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation – Revitalizing the Mahoning Valley". Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  11. ^ a b c d "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.
  12. ^ "Decennials - Census of Population and Housing". 8 February 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  13. ^ "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  14. ^ a b c d "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.
  15. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

Further reading

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

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