Mahoning County, Ohio Eviction Risk: Moderate

Mahoning County scores 5.2/10 (Moderate) on the eviction-risk index, placing it 2nd of 88 counties in Ohio, meaning only one county in the state carries higher risk for landlords. With 36.3% of residents renting and a poverty rate of 24.3%, the county sits in the higher-risk third of the state, and operators should price that reality into acquisition decisions. Average rent runs $779 per month, and the average rent-burden figure, 32.1% of income going to housing costs, points to a renter base with limited cushion against disruption.

That county-level average, however, masks a meaningful spread. Across 18 cities, risk scores range from a low of 3.3 to a high of 5.6, a 2.3-point gap that can define the difference between a stable, cashflowing asset and a problem portfolio. Landlords researching Ohio markets should treat the county figure as a starting point, not a verdict.

The cities inside Mahoning County

Youngstown anchors the high end at 5.6/10, with a population of 59,331 making it by far the largest city in the county. Campbell (5.4/10, pop. 7,784) and New Springfield (5.5/10) also sit in the top tier, alongside Woodworth (5.3/10) and Austintown (5.2/10, pop. 30,164). These communities represent most of the county's rental activity but also carry the highest eviction-risk profiles.

The picture shifts considerably in the southern corridor. Canfield scores 3.3/10, the lowest in the county, and Poland comes in at 3.6/10. Struthers (4.9/10) and Sebring (4.5/10) occupy the middle ground. For investors willing to do neighborhood-level diligence, that 3.3 to 5.6 range represents genuine portfolio differentiation within a single county boundary.

State-level laws that apply here

Ohio state law under ORC § 5321 (Landlords and Tenants) sets the procedural floor for every landlord in Mahoning County. For nonpayment of rent or a material lease violation, Ohio requires a 3-day notice before filing (ORC § 1923.04). Month-to-month holdover tenants require 30 days notice (ORC § 5321.17), while a fixed-term lease that simply expires requires no additional notice under ORC § 1923.02. Ohio does not require just cause for nonrenewal and, critically, the state preempts local rent-control ordinances, so no Mahoning County municipality can impose a rent cap. A full breakdown of timing and requirements is available in the Ohio eviction process guide.

On costs, landlords should budget court filing fees of $160 to $250, sheriff lockout fees of $50 to $175, and attorney fees ranging from $500 to $3,000 depending on whether the case is contested. Uncontested proceedings typically resolve in 21 to 45 days; a contested case can stretch to 45 to 120 days. Ohio eviction costs are a manageable expense in a straightforward case but can escalate sharply when a tenant disputes the action. Landlords may require 24 hours notice before entry under ORC § 5321.04.

With a poverty rate of 24.3% and 36.3% of residents renting, the fundamentals driving risk in Mahoning County are concentrated in its largest cities; the city grid above lets you compare scores, populations, and risk tiers across all 18 municipalities before committing to a market.