Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown is a city in Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. It is the county seat, though a small part of it lies in Trumbull County. The city sits along the Mahoning River in Northeast Ohio. As of the 2020 census, Youngstown had a population of 60,068 people, making it the eleventh-most populous city in Ohio.

The city was named after pioneer John Young, who founded it in 1797. He built the first sawmill and gristmill along the river. Youngstown became famous for its steel production in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But when many steel jobs moved away in the 1970s, the city faced tough times, becoming a symbol of the Rust Belt.

Today, Youngstown is working to renew itself. Places like the Covelli Centre and Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre are part of these efforts. Other important spots in the city include the Butler Institute of American Art, Mill Creek Park, Stambaugh Auditorium, and Youngstown State University. The city is located about 5 miles from the border with Pennsylvania and halfway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

History

Founding

Youngstown was named after John Young, a man from New York who explored the area in 1796 and settled there soon after. In 1797, Young bought land from a company for building the town, and by 1802, Youngstown was officially recorded as a town.

The area where Youngstown is now was part of land that Connecticut sold to a company. Many early settlers came from Connecticut, but others came from Pennsylvania. By 1798, families lived near where a small stream meets a river. Over time, more towns were formed around Youngstown.

Growth and industrialization

In the early 1800s, coal was discovered nearby, which helped Youngstown grow. Canals were built to move goods, and later, railroads arrived, making it easier to transport materials. The coal industry brought many people from places like Wales, Germany, and Ireland to work.

When steel mills were built later, even more people came, including those from Eastern Europe, Italy, and Greece. By the early 1900s, people also came from countries in the Middle East. This change caused some problems, but the city continued to grow.

Post-World War II decline

After World War II, many people moved to Youngstown for jobs in the steel industry. The city grew more diverse, with many new families from Latin America and Africa. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, the steel industry began to fail. Many mills closed, and the city had to find new ways to grow.

Modern developments

In recent years, Youngstown has tried to rebuild. New buildings have been built downtown, and old buildings have been fixed up. There are new homes, shops, and places for businesses to grow. The city has also worked on plans to make it a better place to live.

On May 28, 2024, an explosion damaged a building in downtown Youngstown.

Geography

Youngstown covers a total area of 34.56 square miles, with most of it being land and a small part being water. It is located in the Mahoning Valley on the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau. Long ago, glaciers shaped the land, leaving behind flat areas and valleys, including the one where the Mahoning River flows.

Climate

Youngstown has a humid continental climate, which means it has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and dry, with a mix of rain, sleet, and snow. July is the warmest month, while January is the coldest. The city gets about 41 inches of rain or snow each year.

Neighborhoods

Downtown Youngstown has important buildings and entertainment spots. North of downtown is Youngstown State University and some neighborhoods like Arlington and Smoky Hollow. The North Side includes areas such as Brier Hill, known for its cultural history, and Crandall Park, once home to wealthy families.

The South Side is the most crowded part of the city, with many neighborhoods that grew as the city expanded. The East Side is the largest area but has a lot of open land. The West Side includes neighborhoods built from the 1930s to the 1950s and shares Mill Creek Park with the South Side.

Demographics

The number of people living in Youngstown has gone down by about 65% since 1960. In November 2025, the average cost of a home in the city was $66,086, according to the website Zillow.

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

In the 2020 census, Youngstown had 60,068 people living there. There were 24,852 homes, with 13,072 families. The city had 28,675 homes in total. The median age of people in Youngstown was 38.5 years. About 22% of residents were younger than 18, and 17.7% were 65 or older. Most people, about 99.3%, lived in urban areas.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded 66,982 people in Youngstown. There were 26,839 homes and 15,150 families. The city had many different groups of people: 47.04% were White, 45.17% were African American, and smaller numbers of other groups including Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander. Some people were of Hispanic or Latino background. Many families had children under 18 living with them.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown's biggest employer is Youngstown State University, a public university with about 11,000 students. The city still has some steel and metalworking businesses, though not as many as before. Big companies like Vallourec Star Steel Company and Trivium Packaging have offices here. There is also a place called the Youngstown Business Incubator where new technology companies can grow.

In the past, Youngstown was very important for making steel. This started in the early 1800s and continued for many years. Sadly, in the 1970s, many steel factories closed, which caused many people to lose their jobs. Even though some car factories opened later, they also closed down. Today, Youngstown is trying new ways to grow its economy.

Arts and culture

Youngstown, Ohio, has many places for art and fun. The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra has played music there since 1926, mostly at Powers Auditorium, a big old theater. Another place to hear music is Stambaugh Auditorium, where famous singer Bruce Springsteen performed in 1996.

The city also has the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, an outdoor stage that opened in 2019, and the Covelli Centre, where many artists perform. Long ago, Idora Park was a popular amusement park, but it closed after a big fire in 1984.

Theater

The Youngstown Playhouse is a community theater that has been around for over 100 years. It is known for putting on plays and has even gotten special support from the Ohio Arts Council. Other smaller theaters in the area also put on fun shows.

Museums

There are several interesting museums in Youngstown. The Butler Institute of American Art was the first museum in the country just for American art. The McDonough Museum of Art shows modern art from all over. The Arms Family Museum of Local History is in a big old house and shows how people lived long ago. The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor teaches about the city's steel history. There is also a Children’s Museum of the Valley for younger kids to explore.

Parks and recreation

Further information: Mill Creek Park and Lincoln Park (Youngstown, Ohio)

Youngstown has a wonderful park called Mill Creek Park. It is a long stretch of beautiful woods along a creek and is the oldest park district in Ohio, created in 1891. The park has many things to see and do, like old mills, rocky areas, nature paths, gardens, and two golf courses designed by Donald Ross. You can walk, play, or just enjoy the scenery with lakes, streams, and animals.

There is also a smaller park called Wick Park on the north side of the city. Around Wick Park are big old houses built by important people from the past. Near the park is a place called Stambaugh Auditorium where people can watch concerts and other shows. Another small park, Crandall Park, is also nearby with nice homes and easy walks to shops and fun places.

Sports

Further information: Mahoning Valley § Sports

Youngstown has a long history of sports teams. The Youngstown Phantoms hockey team has played at the Covelli Centre since 2003. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a baseball team, has played at Eastwood Field in Niles since 1999. There are also other teams like the Youngstown Nighthawks soccer team and the Youngstown Area Roller Derby roller derby team.

In the past, Youngstown had many baseball and football teams. Some famous athletes come from Youngstown, like boxing champions and football players.

Youngstown State Penguins

Youngstown State University has strong sports teams called the Penguins. Their football team plays at Stambaugh Stadium and is well-loved by fans. Other sports teams, like basketball and baseball, also have many supporters.

Government and politics

See also: List of mayors of Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown is led by a mayor who is elected every four years. The current mayor is Derrick McDowell, who was elected in 2025. The city usually elects mayors from the Democratic party because local unions support them. Residents also elect an eight-member city council to help make decisions for the city.

Youngstown is part of the Ohio General Assembly and is represented by Lauren McNally in the State Representative District and Alessandro Cutrona in the Senate District. The city is also part of Ohio's 6th congressional district. Youngstown has often supported Democratic candidates in past elections, but recent years have seen some changes in voter preferences.

Education

Youngstown has many places to learn and grow. The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has several branches where people can read and study.

The city’s public schools are run by the Youngstown City School District. This district has six elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Students can also go to a special technical school or an alternative school. In the past, there were more high schools, but now they have merged into fewer schools. Some students can take classes at Youngstown State University and earn college credit while still in high school.

There are also private schools in Youngstown, including Catholic schools like Cardinal Mooney High School and Ursuline High School, as well as other schools such as Valley Christian School and the Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley.

Youngstown State University is the main college in the area. It began with a local YMCA program in 1908 and joined the Ohio system of higher education in 1967. The university has about 11,000 students and is located near downtown Youngstown.

Media

Main article: Media in Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown has several newspapers. The Vindicator used to be the main daily newspaper but stopped printing in 2019. Now, it is part of Warren's Tribune Chronicle](/w/2). Other papers include The Business Journal, The Metro Monthly, and The Jambar, which is made by students at Youngstown State University.

The city has many TV and radio stations. There are four main TV stations serving the area, and one low-power station that shows Fox shows. The radio stations include news, sports, and music in many different styles.

Transportation

Road

Youngstown is connected by Interstate 680, which links the city to Interstate 80, Interstate 76 (the Ohio Turnpike), and Ohio State Route 11. This highway starts where I-80 and SR 11 meet in Austintown Township and runs through Youngstown before leaving the city to the south.

In Youngstown, two main freeways begin: the "Madison Avenue Expressway" and the "Himrod Avenue Expressway." These freeways, together with a part of I-680, form a loop around Downtown Youngstown and the Youngstown State University campus. Other roads serving the city include state routes SR 170, SR 289, SR 616, and SR 625.

Public transit

The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) operates bus services across Youngstown and nearby areas, funded by local taxes. Their main terminal is in downtown Youngstown and also serves as a stop for Greyhound buses.

Air

The main airport for the area is the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. While it no longer has commercial airline service, the airport is home to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and 910th Airlift Wing. There are also smaller airports nearby, such as Lansdowne Airport and Youngstown Elser Metro Airport.

Rail

Near the WRTA terminal is an old train station that used to be part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Today, it is a banquet hall. The closest active train service is the Capitol Limited at Alliance station, about 42 miles away. Freight trains still run through the area, operated by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, and the Youngstown and Southeastern Railroad.

Sister cities

Youngstown has a sister city named Spíšská Nová Ves in Slovakia. The two cities became sister cities in 1991.