Housing

It's easy to see why so many people choose to call Jefferson County home. It consistently attracts a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds, incomes, interests and styles.

Those working in the Pittsburgh area find it an ideal place to live, a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of a large city yet an affordable, safe haven with a hometown feel. Residents also enjoy significantly lower property taxes in Jefferson County than in larger, neighboring areas. For example a property owner in Steubenville with a home valued at $150,000 would pay under $2000 in annual taxes.

Rural areas in Jefferson County have continued to grow in recent years, as have the larger riverfront communities. With the extension of county water to these areas, more upscale subdivisions have been developed that offer an escape to the country combined with quality housing. A drive through these communities highlights the beauty of Jefferson County with its secluded homes, rolling farmland and unique mix of old and new houses.

Riverfront towns, historic communities, growing villages, and more - all who live in them enjoy a low crime rate and affordable cost of living unlike that of many larger neighboring cities.

In addition, the Steubenville, Ohio/Weirton, West Virginia area was named the second best small city in which to live by researchers at Sperling's Best Places using FBI uniform crime reports to determine cities having less than 200,000 people with the lowest rates of crime in 2002.

Jefferson County realtors offer a vast knowledge and wealth of experience in home sales and community information. They can assist both new residents to the area and those who are relocating within Jefferson County, making the process a smooth and pleasant one.

Home start-ups and resale sales have continued to increase in recent years as the area grows. Resale sales in Jefferson County, based on the Steubenville Area Board of Realtors/Tri-State MLS figures, have increased steadily over the past 4 years on the average sales price of a home sold in the Steubenville Board sales area.

For residential homes sold through local realtors from 2001 to 2002, the average sale price increased 1.9 percent, from 2002 to 2003, the increase was 3.5 percent and from 2003 to mid-2004, the average sale price increased 4.8 percent. During that four-year period, the average sale price of a residential home sold by local realtors increased by 10.6 percent.

From education to quality healthcare, shopping to the arts, safe streets to affordable living - Jefferson County offers so much to its residents in a unique and beautiful setting. What a perfect place to call home.