Known as the main shopping district for Mahoning County, Boardman is more than just long streets of shopping plazas with a mall at its center. The census-designated place is in the middle of Boardman Township, directly below the city of Youngstown. Some consider the area a bedroom community for the larger city, as many Boardman residents commute to Youngstown for work and entertainment. Established in 1806, the community was initially an agricultural-based settlement that became a trade center for the county. Today, it has a growing collection of diverse homes in subdivisions, a highly rated school district and an expansive system of parks that make it more than just a shopping destination or a suburb. The city has a higher median income and fewer people living under the federal poverty line than Mahoning County’s average, and it plans to improve the lives of its nearly 40,000 residents through small changes and large infrastructure projects.
Welcome to Boardman.
Boardman is more than just a shopping destination.
Boardman is more than just a shopping destination.
Shop local in Boardman for unique finds and great deals.
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The main retail center of Mahoning County
Youngstown grew rapidly from the 1920s to the '70s because of a booming steel industry. Boardman grew in response, accommodating newcomers who came to the area for jobs. In later decades, however, after many steel companies shut down and unemployment rates skyrocketed, the region looked for other industries to bring back employment opportunities. Based on the most recent census information, most people working in Boardman do so in education, health care or social assistance positions. The next most common industries are retail and trade, followed by arts, entertainment and food services. Youngstown State University has nearly 11,000 students and employs more than 1,500 individuals. Southwoods Health Medical Campus is in the city's center and has multiple buildings with specialists, surgery centers, physical therapists and walk-in clinics. "The county's main hospital is Mercy Health Hospital in downtown Youngstown, but the one in Boardman is the newest and growing," says Bob Roberts, a sales associate Realtor at Mayo & Associates Realtors who has been in real estate for 36 years. "Southwoods is probably the largest employer in the area."
Boardman centers around large shopping plazas with chain restaurants, national retailers, big box stores and department stores. Anchored by Southern Park Mall in the center and large shopping centers, the area is the largest shopping destination for residents in Youngstown and the townships of Mahoning County. Boardman Plaza opened in 1951 as one of the country's first strip malls, and the rest of the shops, restaurants, car dealerships and businesses fell in line. In addition to national chains, Boardman has some locally owned restaurants and good pizza, according to Realtor Carmen Neapolitan of Neapolitan Realty. "Boardman has some of the finest pizza around town, and I’ll tell you, Uptown Pizza is the best,” says Neapolitan, who has sold homes across the area for over a decade. There are two Giant Eagle Supermarkets in the area, and Walmart and Sam's Club are busy sports for large shopping trips.
Experience compassionate care at Southwood Medical Center in Boardman.
Boardman is your ultimate shopping destination in Mahoning County.
Explore a diverse selection of stores and dining options at Southern Park Mall in Boardman.
Residents of Boardman discover Excellence at Youngstown State University.
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Subdivisions grow throughout the decades
Branching out from Boardman's retail center, subdivisions wind around each other and end in cul-de-sacs. Each development's architectural style reflects the era the homes were built, from the 1920s to the 2010s. Bungalows, cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes start at around $50,000 and reach upwards of $300,000. Tudor Revivals, Colonial Revivals, new traditional homes and modern Craftsman homes are the most expensive, often selling between $330,000 and $500,000. "Most homes here are more expensive than in Youngstown, but they're affordable compared to the rest of the country," Roberts says. "Any home in Mahoning Country offers more bang for your buck." Townhouses and condos are available between $150,000 and $250,000. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in the country is $416,700, which is nearly twice as high as the Boardman area average of $215,000.
Homes in Boardman sit on cozy, well-maintained lots.
Boardman boasts a vast array of large homes, perfect for growing families.
Stunning aerial view of Boardman, showcasing the vibrant community
Residents of Boardman enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
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Mill Creek Park and Boardman Park
Mill Creek Park is at Boardman's western border, covering over 5,000 acres of natural landscape in southwest Youngstown. "I just had a bunch of friends move here from California, and they were just amazed at Mill Creek Park – amazed with how beautiful it is," Neapolitan says. Boardman hugs the southern portion of the park, granting access to the miles and miles of hiking trails heading north and south. Mill Creek Golf Course is in Boardman and part of the Mill Creek Park System. "There are 36 holes, and it's a very beautiful course where most of the local golfers play," Roberts says.
Boardman Township Park is in the middle of Boardman, between the shopping malls and plazas. Also called Boardman Park, the green space has baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a dog park and a playground. Its many pavilions are where community events for holidays like Halloween and Christmas occur. Residents carve pumpkins with neighbors or attend Santa's Winter Workshop. On snowy days, locals stay active inside at The Ice Zone ice arena or Extreme Air Trampoline Park. Those missing golf in the cold months visit The Bunker Southern Park, a 37,000-square-foot indoor golf recreation space in the Southern Park Mall.
Many places in Boardman are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Southern Park Stable, Forest Glen Estates Historic District and Newport Village Historic District. Downtown Youngstown offers cultural festivals, sporting events and museums for art and science.
Enjoy stunning landscapes and challenging holes at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman.
Boardman Township Park in Boardman, Ohio, features tennis courts.
Remember those who have touched your heart at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Boardman.
Mill Creek Park is a large park with extensive walking trails.
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The third-best school district in the county
Boardman Local School District has an overall grade of A-minus on Niche. It is also considered the third-best school district in the Youngstown area. The district has three elementary schools that teach kindergarten through third grade, and they've each received a National Blue Ribbon Award in the past six years. According to the school district's website, 90% of students go on to attend four-year colleges and universities, and there is a one-to-one technology-to-student ratio across all age levels. Boardman High School is home to Boardman Performing Arts Center, with its Grammy-winning choral, band and orchestral programs.
Students at Boardman High School root for the Spartans.
Students enjoy learning at the Boardman Center Intermediate School.
Stadium Elementary School in Boardman is a National Blue Ribbon School.
Glenwood Junior High School in Boardman, Ohio.
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Interstate 76 connects Boardman to the rest of northeastern Ohio
Boardman-Canfield Road is the main thoroughfare going east and west, while Market Street heads north and south. Interstate 680 goes through the eastern end of the area, heading 8 miles north to Youngstown and south to Interstate 76. The Western Reserve Transit Authority serves the Boardman area, and bus stops run along Market Street and Boardman-Canfield Road. Most residents, however, rely on personal vehicles for commuting and running errands. Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is 20 miles north but has not had regularly scheduled flights for a few years. The nearest major airport with many airlines and a comprehensive list of regular flights is Pittsburgh International Airport, 50 miles southeast.
Plans to combat flooding
Boardman has four seasons, with a mild summer and snowy winters. The city's Road Department removes snow and ice on all public roads, and residents are responsible for clearing their driveways and walkways. The flat stretches of land on Boardman's western and northern ends, especially those around the rivers and creeks, are prone to flooding and have been a pain point for locals over the past few decades.
The city of Boardman has projects in place to combat the flooding with a stormwater district and Stormwater Park. The goal is to increase the capacity of storm sewers to alleviate flooding and provide a safe area where water can accumulate without causing infrastructure damage. Through a township-wide road assessment survey, the city of Boardman has implemented a new county-funded pavement strategy. The strategy includes the improvement of infrastructure and the widening of stormwater pipes.
Boardman Road department is committed to keeping its roads safe and accessible.
Boardman implements effective strategies to combat flooding and protect its community.
Boardman Twp Government Center is committed to Effective Flood Management & Community Safety.
Explore the latest initiatives and solutions to enhance flood resilience in Boardman.
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Important to know
Boardman police department has a budget of $9.5 million and has recently initiated a task to add body cameras to each officer and cameras to each vehicle in the fleet for added visibility and transparency. According to FBI data, the area has a higher rate of violent crime than the national average, partly due to a high number of robberies. Similarly, property crime rates in Boardman are nearly twice the national average, with theft occurring most often.
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