RANK #265 / 1001 NAT · #16 / 49 OH · POP 64,518
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Jefferson County, Ohio, situated along the Ohio River, is perhaps best known for Steubenville, its county seat, often called the "City of Murals" due to its numerous downtown artworks. The county, established in 1797 and named for Thomas Jefferson, lies on Ohio's eastern border, approximately 33 miles west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Commuting options include local bus services within Steubenville, Mingo Junction, and Wintersville, with connections to Pittsburgh. The community maintains a strong sense of local identity, with many residents owning their homes. Natural scenery and outdoor recreation are prominent, with destinations like Friendship Park offering extensive acreage for camping, hiking, fishing, and boating, and Jefferson Lake State Park providing additional opportunities for outdoor activities. Life in Jefferson County is characterized by a blend of historical roots and evolving economic activity. The county's economy, historically reliant on steel production and heavy industry, is diversifying into areas such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Educational institutions like Franciscan University of Steubenville contribute to the local landscape. Efforts are underway to address housing needs, including initiatives to convert vacant lots into affordable homes. The county is served by six K-12 school districts and two private institutions, providing educational options for families.
Jefferson County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.8% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Jefferson County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
JSW Steel USA Ohio Inc. Electric Arc Furnace and Slab Caster Improvements
JSW Steel USA Ohio Inc.
|
$119M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, Jefferson County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $59,055 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Jefferson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $127,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.46 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $835/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Both population (-0.5% YoY) and employment (-1.3%) are contracting in Jefferson County, though housing tells its own story with values moving +1.8% over the past 12 months. This is a county where the trend lines are pointing in the wrong direction.
Not particularly — 1.59% of Jefferson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.