Youngstown-Warren Region Named Nation’s Hottest Housing Market
by The Business Journal Thursday, April 16, 2026
CANFIELD, Ohio – The Youngstown-Warren region is earning national attention for the strength of its housing market and overall economic standing, according to new data presented at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s annual meeting Thursday at Waypoint 4180.
The Youngstown-Warren area was listed as the No. 1 hottest real estate market in the United States by Cotality, formerly CoreLogic, a global information services company that specializes in property data and draws from billions of real-time data sets.
In Area Development magazine’s annual analysis, the Youngstown/Warren market ranked 23rd among 411 metropolitan statistical areas nationwide for economic and business development. It also ranked fifth among 91 Midwest MSAs and seventh among 123 medium-size MSAs nationwide. Area Development is a leading publication focused on corporate site selection, relocation and economic development.
The rankings align with local data showing steady gains in the region’s workforce and population.
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, an economic database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
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.
“These rankings show real progress in the Mahoning Valley,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. “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.”
Dani Robbins, CEO of Lake to River Economic Development, highlighted the importance of the data.
“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,” she said.
“We’re seeing the kind of momentum that creates real opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Said Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI. “As the region strengthens its talent base
and continues to grow its innovation ecosystem, it becomes a place where new ideas can take root and scale. That’s critical to building a more diverse, resilient economy for the future.”
Anthony Trevena, executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority, said the national recognition “underscore the momentum” being built in the region.
“The national recognition the Youngstown-Warren region is receiving reflects years of intentional
investment in infrastructure, workforce development and collaboration,” he said. “When you see growth in jobs, population and housing demand alongside strong national rankings, it reinforces that this region is competitive and moving in the right direction.”
Joe Koch Jr., a member of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Board of Directors and chair of the chamber’s Housing Council, said housing is “a critical part” of the momentum in the Valley.
“As demand continues to grow, we’re seeing the impact on the housing market in real time,” he said. “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.”