Youngstown is located in northeastern Ohio along the Mahoning River, 65 miles southeast of Cleveland and 61 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, about an hour from large metropolitan areas and their international airports. Youngstown serves as the county seat of Mahoning County, but serves the surrounding Mahoning Valley region with an overall population of more than 540,000.
The region offers a multitude of reasons for people to look no further than their back yard, boasting an affordable cost of living and one of the country’s most affordable housing markets. U.S. News & World Report ranked Youngstown, Ohio 10th in their listing of “25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S.” for 2022-23. According to U.S. News & World Report, “… this Rust Belt city is in the midst of a cultural and economic renaissance that combines rich historical tradition with the zeal of a new generation. The area is seeing a resurgence of business in its once-empty downtown area, including restaurants, bars, galleries, and local shops, while organizations like the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation seek to shore up the urban neighborhoods. The strong work ethic the region is known for is helping to make the revival happen. Typical of most Midwestern cities, Youngstown’s residents are friendly and regularly gather to celebrate their community.”
The Mill Creek MetroParks includes over 5,000 acres of lakes, hiking trails, bike trails, historical sites, golf courses, and more found throughout the metro area.
The Youngstown area offers a broad array of entertainment at venues such as the DeYor Performing Arts Center, Stambaugh Auditorium, Packard Music Hall, the Covelli Centre, and the Warren Amphitheater. DeYor Performing Arts Center houses the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, which has contributed to the musical and educational life of the Mahoning Valley for 82 years. Stambaugh Auditorium and Packard Music Hall 11 also host numerous musical and cultural events throughout the year. The Youngstown Playhouse, a community theater company, performs a variety of plays and musicals year-round and has been active for more than 80 years. Stambaugh Auditorium, located in the historic Wick Park district, is home to the Opera Western Reserve, Youngstown’s own opera company.
The region’s cultural value is also enriched by the Butler Institute of American Art, located immediately adjacent to the YSU campus. At 94 years old, the Butler was the country’s first museum dedicated to American art and makes its extensive collection of more than 20,000 works spanning multiple centuries free to the public. Other area museums offer a look at the rich history of the region, including the steel industry, with extensive collections on display at the Arms Family Museum of Local History, the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, the National Packard Museum, and the Sutliff Museum in Warren. The OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science and Technology offers hands-on educational exhibits and interactive activities.
The Covelli Centre overlooking the Mahoning River serves as a venue for national recording artists and major acts, and it is home to the Youngstown Phantoms, a Tier I junior ice hockey team that plays in the United States Hockey League. The Youngstown area also is home to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers minor league baseball team. In the summer, residents can enjoy outdoor movies and concerts at the Warren Amphitheater.
Youngstown has seen an increase of wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries in recent years, and residents enjoy eating at the many restaurants downtown and throughout the area.
Additional information on the Youngstown region is available at regionalchamber.com.