Estimates say valley’s population down 7.5 percent

The Mahoning Valley’s population declined by 7.5 percent from 2000 to last year, according to estimates from the U.S Census Bureau.

The total population of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties dropped from 594,746 in 2000 to 550,229 in July 2010, according to census estimates. These figures use births, deaths and migration estimates.

The official census numbers for counties as well as cities, villages and townships will be released later this week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The estimates show Mahoning County lost 8.9 percent of its population. Mahoning along with Cuyahoga led Ohio counties with the largest population declines during the 10-year period.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com