Youngstown-Warren region reports increases in jobs, population
According to data presented at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s annual meeting in April, the Youngstown-Warren region is earning national attention for the strength of its housing market and overall economic standing.
The Youngstown-Warren area was listed as the hottest real estate market in the U.S. by Cotality, formerly CoreLogic, a global information services company that specializes in property data and draws from billions of real-time data sets.
The Youngstown/Warren market ranked 23rd among 411 metropolitan statistical areas nationwide for economic and business development in Area Development magazine’s annual analysis.
The region also ranked fifth among 91 Midwest metropolitan areas, and seventh among 123 medium-sized metropolitan areas nationwide.
Guy Coviello is the president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
“These rankings show real progress in the Mahoning Valley,” Coviello said. “Our labor force is growing, population trends are favorable and national data is recognizing the strength of our housing market and economy. This is the result of collaboration.”
The rankings align with local data showing steady gains in the region’s workforce and population, according to the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The region’s civilian labor force has risen each year since 2021, climbing from 188,000 in 2021 to 190,000 in 2022, 192,000 in 2023 and 193,000 in 2024, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data.
Population trends also showed back-to-back increases, with the Youngstown metro area growing 0.28% in both 2024 and 2025, a notable shift after decades of decline, according to MacroTrends.
Dani Robbins is the CEO of Lake to River Economic Development.
“Data like these matter because it reflects real conditions on the ground,” she said. “When site selectors and investors come to us evaluating where to grow, this region has a compelling story to tell and the infrastructure to back it up.”
Joe Koch Jr. is a member of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Board of Directors and chair of the chamber’s housing council.
“Housing is a critical part of the region’s momentum,” he said. “As demand continues to grow, we’re seeing the impact on the housing market in real time. The work of the Council and its partners is focused on expanding supply and ensuring people can find quality housing of all types as the region continues to grow.”
