Your Guide to Jefferson County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Jefferson County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Jefferson County, including Steubenville, the county seat.
Quick answer: Jefferson County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Steubenville, it was established in 1797, and it has an estimated 63,597 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Steubenville
- Established: Jul 29, 1797
- Formed from: Washington County
- Named for: Thomas Jefferson (1743 to 1826), Vice President when the county was organized, future President of the United States, and principal author of the Declaration of Independence
- Estimated population (2025): 63,597
- Total area: 409.61 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39081
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County is located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,249. Its county seat and largest city is Steubenville. The county is named for U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who was vice president at the time of its creation. Jefferson County is part of the Weirton, Steubenville metropolitan area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh, New Castle, Weirton combined statistical area.
History of Jefferson County
Jefferson County was organized on July 29, 1797, by proclamation of Governor Arthur St. Clair, six years before Ohio was granted statehood. Its boundaries were originally quite large, including all of northeastern Ohio east of the Cuyahoga River, but it was divided and redrawn several times before assuming its present day boundaries in 1833, after the formation of neighboring Carroll County.
In 1786, the United States built Fort Steuben to protect the government surveyors mapping the land west of the Ohio River. When the surveyors completed their task a few years later, the fort was abandoned. In the meantime, settlers had built homes around the fort; they named their settlement La Belle. When the county was created in 1797, La Belle was selected as the County seat. The town was subsequently renamed Steubenville, in honor of the abandoned fort.
During the first half of the 19th century, Steubenville was primarily a port town, and the rest of the county consisted of small villages and farms. However, in 1856, Frazier, Kilgore and Company erected a rolling mill (the forerunner of steel mills) and the Steubenville Coal and Mining Company sank a coal shaft, resulting in Jefferson County becoming one of the leading centers of the new Industrial Revolution.
Cities and Villages in Jefferson County
Cities
Steubenville †, Toronto
Villages
Adena, Amsterdam, Bergholz, Bloomingdale, Dillonvale, Empire, Irondale, Mingo Junction, Mount Pleasant, New Alexandria, Rayland, Richmond, Stratton, Tiltonsville, Wintersville, Yorkville
Find Local Businesses in Jefferson County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Jefferson County. Own a business here? Add your free business listing so local customers can find you.
Background Checks, Process Serving and Private Investigations
Residents and employers in Jefferson County can get BCI and FBI LiveScan fingerprinting, FD-258 fingerprint cards, process serving and licensed private investigations from these Ohio providers:
- Ohio Security & Investigations, Youngstown: licensed private investigations and fingerprinting. Call (888) 341-6960 or visit ohioinvestigators.com.
- 10-8 Protective Services, Columbus: investigations, fingerprinting and process serving. Call (800) 949-8521 or visit 10-8protectiveservices.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the county seat of Jefferson County, Ohio?
Steubenville is the county seat of Jefferson County, Ohio.
When was Jefferson County established?
Jefferson County was established on Jul 29, 1797. It was formed from Washington County.
Who or what is Jefferson County named for?
Jefferson County is named for Thomas Jefferson (1743 to 1826), Vice President when the county was organized, future President of the United States, and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
How many people live in Jefferson County, Ohio?
Jefferson County has an estimated population of 63,597 as of 2025.
What cities are in Jefferson County, Ohio?
Cities in Jefferson County include Steubenville †, Toronto.
Where can I find local businesses in Jefferson County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Jefferson County, Ohio.
How do I list my Jefferson County business on FindItOhio.com?
Visit the free business listing page on FindItOhio.com and submit your business name, address, phone number and website.
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County background adapted from the Wikipedia article Jefferson County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.