Living in Boardman, Ohio / relocation guide
Boardman The Mahoning Valley's retail heart, with top-rated schools.
Boardman is the second-largest community in the Youngstown metro area and the Mahoning Valley's main retail and dining hub, anchored by Southern Park Mall and the Route 224 corridor. It pairs that everyday convenience with the highly rated Boardman Local Schools, one of the best districts in the region, and Boardman Park's 200 acres of green space. Families who want shopping, dining, schools, and services within minutes of home keep Boardman a first choice in Mahoning County.
01 / In one line
Boardman is the Mahoning Valley's retail and dining capital, with A-rated schools and every convenience minutes from home at the crossroads of I-80 and I-680.
02 / Market snapshot, dated
The numbers, dated and straight.
Median home price
~$195K-$210K
Redfin and trackers, 2026
Population
~39,700
2026 township estimates
Days on market
~19-38 days
2026 trackers
What's new in Boardman
-
A 100,000 sq ft Dick's House of Sports is planned on the former Kmart site on Route 224, with a hotel behind it.
announced July 2026 Source
-
New construction keeps coming: a Culver's, a Cochran Cadillac dealership on Market Street, and a 1st Title office building near TJ Maxx.
2026 Source
-
ODOT's U.S. 224 safety project from Market Street to Tiffany Boulevard is budgeted at about $14.3M.
announced 2026 Source
Figures are approximate snapshots from public market trackers and news reports, labeled with their dates, and change month to month. Verify against current listings and the county auditor before making decisions.
03 / Commute reality
Drive times, off-peak and peak.
Approximate city-center to city-center figures for a typical weekday, from routing services and local driving reality. Peak-hour notes assume the 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. windows.
| Destination | Distance | Off-peak drive | Peak-hour reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Youngstown | ~5 mi | 10-14 min | Market Street / SR-7; minutes even at rush |
| Downtown Warren | ~26 mi | ~35 min | I-680/US-422; add 10-15 minutes at rush |
| Cleveland | ~78 mi | 82-90 min | I-80 / Turnpike; over 90 minutes in rush hour |
| Canfield | ~9 mi | ~15 min | Route 224 west; smooth most of the day |
04 / How the five towns compare
Where Boardman fits in the valley.
The five full "Living in" guides side by side: price, taxes, schools and character, and the buyer each town best fits. Your row is highlighted.
| Town | Median price | Tax situation | Schools / character | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | ~$115K-$135K | Trumbull County, ~1.3-1.6% effective | Warren City Schools; historic riverfront county seat | First-time buyers, investors, and history lovers at the lowest price point |
| Howland | ~$240K | Trumbull County, ~1.3-1.6% effective | Howland Local Schools, top tier in Trumbull per Niche | Growing families who want space plus a strong district |
| Niles | ~$136K-$148K | Trumbull County, ~1.3-1.6% effective | Niles City Schools; walkable McKinley heritage downtown | Budget-conscious buyers who want walkable history |
| Boardman You are here | ~$195K-$210K | Mahoning County, ~1.3-1.6% effective | Boardman Local Schools, A rated per Niche | Families who want every convenience and highways on tap |
| Canfield | ~$307K-$314K | Mahoning County, ~1.3-1.6% effective | Canfield Local Schools, #1 in the Youngstown area per Niche | Buyers prioritizing top schools and the strongest resale |
Median prices are approximate snapshots dated within each town's own guide. Effective tax rates are county-level medians of recent data; exact millage varies by address and district.
05 / Quick facts
The essentials, at a glance.
- County
- Mahoning County
- Schools
- Boardman Local Schools
- Retail
- Southern Park Mall, Route 224 corridor
- Park
- Boardman Park, 200+ acres
- Access
- I-80, I-680, and US 224
06 / Why families choose Boardman
What daily life feels like.
- Boardman Local Schools, rated A by Niche and a top Youngstown-area district
- Everyday convenience: mall, groceries, dining, and services all close by
- Boardman Park for sports, events, and the outdoor amphitheater
- Direct highway access to I-80 and I-680 for commuters
07 / Neighborhoods within Boardman
The districts locals actually name.
Where the character changes street to street, and what each pocket is best known for when buyers and sellers talk.
01
Market Street & North Boardman
The older, denser end of the township at the Youngstown line, home to the historic N. Market Street business district.
02
Route 224 / Southern Park Mall corridor
The valley's retail core: the mall, restaurants, and big-box shopping define daily convenience here.
03
South Avenue corridor
A newer commercial and residential artery between Midlothian and Western Reserve Road.
04
Newport Village Historic District
A 1920s auto suburb of Tudor and Colonial Revival homes, listed on the National Register.
05
Forest Glen, Applewood Acres & beyond
Established 20th-century subdivisions spread through the township's older interior.
08 / Straight answers
The questions buyers type into Google.
How are Boardman schools rated?
Boardman Local Schools carries an A rating per Niche and is routinely ranked among the top Youngstown-area districts, from the elementary buildings through Boardman High School. It is a headline reason families cross the county line to buy here.
What do homes cost in Boardman?
Redfin put Boardman's median sale price around $195,000 in its most recent 2026 month, with other trackers between $200,000 and $210,000. Homes move at different speeds by price point, with recent averages ranging from under three weeks to about five, depending on the source.
How far is Boardman from Youngstown and Cleveland?
Downtown Youngstown is about 5 miles and 10-14 minutes, and Cleveland is roughly 78 miles and 80-90 minutes off-peak via I-80. Having I-680, I-80, and US-224 at your doorstep is a big part of Boardman's appeal.
Are taxes in Boardman high?
Boardman is in Mahoning County, where the effective owner rate is roughly 1.3-1.6 percent of home value. It is the district quality, not the rate, that most buyers notice; confirm millage on the county auditor's site for a specific home.
What areas of Boardman should I consider?
Newport Village for historic character, Forest Glen and Applewood Acres for established subdivisions, the streets near Boardman Park for green space, and the South Avenue corridor for newer construction and everyday convenience.
Why do families keep choosing Boardman?
The bundle is hard to beat: an A-rated district, the Route 224 retail and dining core, Boardman Park's 200+ acres, Mill Creek Park minutes away, and direct highway access to just about anywhere in the valley.
09 / Local favorites
Where the people of Boardman actually go.
Restaurants, parks, community and health resources, and coffee shops, curated from live research and local knowledge.
Restaurants
Aqua Pazzo
Modern Italian on McClurg Road with one of the best-reviewed dining rooms in the valley.
Magic Tree Pub & Eatery
Casual pub menu on South Avenue with a loyal local crowd.
Antone's Kitchen
Family-run kitchen on Boardman-Canfield Road with generous, home-style portions.
Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill
Sushi and hibachi on the Boardman-Poland corridor.
Parks & outdoor
Community & health
Davis Family YMCA
McClurg Road fitness, aquatics, and family programming hub of the YMCA of Youngstown.
Mahoning County Public Health
County health district with a well-child clinic right on Boardman-Poland Road.
Boardman Library (PLYMC)
The Glenwood Avenue branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Business listings shown for convenience only; visit each spot's website for current hours and offerings.
10 / Your move
Want schools, shopping, and shortcuts all in one ZIP? Let's explore Boardman.
I know the streets, the schools, and the values in Boardman. Let's turn that into your shortlist.
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