Steubenville, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Steubenville, OH

What is Steubenville's overall crime grade for 2026?

Steubenville, OH earns an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026. This places the city in the middle tier of safety rankings — not among Ohio's most dangerous communities, but with room for measurable improvement. The C+ grade reflects a combination of property crime prevalence and moderate violent crime rates, both of which are influenced by the city's 24.8% poverty rate and an 8.6% unemployment rate — roughly double Ohio's statewide unemployment average. Cities with comparable socioeconomic profiles tend to cluster in the C to B− range, so Steubenville's grade is consistent with its economic context.

How does Steubenville's poverty rate affect its crime statistics?

The connection is significant. With nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.8%) living below the poverty line and a median household income of just $37,457, Steubenville faces economic stressors that research consistently links to elevated property crime. Theft, burglary, and vehicle theft tend to be the most common offense categories in economically distressed small cities. The city's median home value of $98,000 and median rent of $625/month signal an affordable but financially stretched housing market, which can concentrate vulnerability in specific corridors. Neighborhoods closer to the industrial riverfront historically show higher incident densities on the crime map compared to quieter residential pockets further from downtown.

What types of crime are most common in Steubenville?

Property crimes account for the largest share of reported incidents in Steubenville. Based on the crime patterns reflected in the city's C+ overall grade, the breakdown skews heavily toward:

• Theft and larceny — the single most reported category, consistent with cities where median incomes fall below $40,000
• Burglary and breaking-and-entering — elevated relative to Ohio's mid-size city average, particularly in denser residential blocks
• Motor vehicle theft — a persistent issue in river-valley industrial cities
• Assault — the leading violent crime category, occurring sporadically rather than in concentrated hotspots
• Substance-related offenses — drug incidents represent a notable share of total calls for service, reflecting broader regional trends in the Ohio Valley

Violent crimes, while present, represent a smaller proportion of total incidents than property crimes — a pattern typical of cities in the C+ grade range.

What are the safest and highest-risk areas in Steubenville?

Steubenville covers approximately 27 square miles with a population density of 655 residents per square mile — relatively low density that means crime is not uniformly distributed. Areas near the historic downtown district and the Ohio River waterfront tend to show higher incident concentrations on the crime map, driven largely by foot traffic, commercial activity, and older housing stock. Residential neighborhoods on the city's northern and eastern edges, where single-family homes are more common and community tenure is longer, generally report fewer incidents per block. Neighborhoods with active civic associations and neighborhood watch participation consistently show lower crime density regardless of their proximity to higher-risk corridors. Use the interactive crime map filters to compare specific streets and time windows before making decisions about where to live or visit.

How does Steubenville's crime rate compare to other Ohio cities of similar size?

Among Ohio cities with populations between 15,000 and 25,000, Steubenville's C+ grade places it near the middle of the pack. Cities in this size range with stronger economies — higher median incomes, lower unemployment — typically earn B or B+ grades. Steubenville's 8.6% unemployment rate and 24.8% poverty rate are notably higher than Ohio averages, which pulls its grade below what its relatively low population density might otherwise suggest. That said, Steubenville is not an outlier among post-industrial Ohio River communities, many of which face similar socioeconomic headwinds and earn comparable crime grades.

Is Steubenville safe enough to raise a family?

A C+ crime grade means Steubenville is a city where safety is manageable with awareness — not one where risk is pervasive in every neighborhood. Many families live comfortably here, drawn by median home values around $98,000 (well below the Ohio average), a tight-knit community culture, and proximity to Franciscan University and local parks along the Ohio River. The key is neighborhood selection: using the crime map to identify blocks with consistently low incident rates, prioritizing areas with active neighborhood watch programs, and staying engaged with updates from the Steubenville Police Department. Families who do their homework on specific streets and zip codes within the city tend to report feeling safe in their day-to-day lives.

What is the trend — is crime in Steubenville getting better or worse?

Steubenville's C+ grade for 2026 reflects a city in a holding pattern rather than a sharp trajectory in either direction. Economic revitalization efforts, including downtown development initiatives and workforce programs, have the potential to move the needle positively over time — research shows that a 10-percentage-point reduction in unemployment correlates with meaningful drops in property crime rates. However, with unemployment still at 8.6% and poverty at 24.8%, structural challenges remain. Local law enforcement has expanded community policing efforts, and residents are encouraged to report incidents promptly to ensure the crime map data accurately reflects conditions and resources are directed where they are most needed.