Is Steubenville Growing Again?
The recently released Census estimate says Steubenville had 17,922 residents as of July 1, 2025. But there is good reason to believe that number is too low.
This is not just a hunch. The Census Bureau’s model undercounted Steubenville before the last two official census counts. In the annual estimate series, Steubenville was listed at 18,105 in 2009, then rose to about 18,662 in 2010. A decade later, the city was estimated at 17,802 in 2019, then rose to about 18,149 in 2020.
Even the Census Bureau’s recent model does not show a simple story of steady decline. It showed Steubenville growing in some recent years for this first time, but then a dip in their model for 2025. That matters because the current 2025 number is not a full census count. If the model undercounted Steubenville before the 2010 and 2020 census counts, and if even the recent model has shown some years of growth since 2020, it is reasonable to believe the latest estimate may be undercounting us again.
By way of background, it is important to understand the difference between a Census count and a Census estimate. Every ten years (2010, 2020, 2030), the federal government conducts the full decennial Census, which is intended to count the population directly through surveys and then door-to-door canvasing. In the years between those counts, the Census Bureau prepares annual estimates using models, administrative records, and other data. Those estimates are useful, but they are not the same thing as an actual count. And it’s estimates like the one in 2025 that have undercounted Steubenville’s population.
Without getting lost in the annual gyrations of the Census model, the key local indicators point in the same direction: greater stability, more institutional growth, and real potential for population growth by 2030.
Some key local indicators from the education sector
Schools and colleges are not the same thing as a city population count. Not every student lives inside city limits. But these are still hard numbers. They show real people, families, workers, visitors, and daily activity tied to Steubenville.
Franciscan University - More than 4,250 students projected for fall 2025. Franciscan reported its largest incoming class for the 11th straight year, with students from all 50 states, D.C., and 35 countries. Franciscan’s current growth is not just a one-year bump. And if you talk to people downtown at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, you will notice something else: a small but increasing number of graduates are staying and making Steubenville their home.
Steubenville City Schools - More than 2,800 students. Steubenville City Schools are one of the city’s strongest anchors, serving nearly 2,900 students and giving families a major reason to live, work, and stay here. Harding Middle School was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, Wells Academy was ranked third in Ohio in U.S. News & World Report rankings, and the district has also been recognized as a Project Lead the Way Distinguished District, with Steubenville High School, Harding Middle School, and all four elementary schools named PLTW Distinguished Schools.
Bishop John King Mussio / Catholic Central - More than 650 students in Steubenville Catholic Schools, making them one of the city’s most important anchors for growing, thriving Catholic families. Bishop John King Mussio Elementary’s Legacy Hall project added eight classrooms that started serving students in 2025, giving the school more room to serve families. That is not sentiment. It is a capital investment. Schools do not add eight classrooms unless there is demand. The system’s academic strength is also visible in achievements like a BJKM fifth-grader winning the 2026 regional spelling bee and advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Hilltop Montessori - 41 students in 2025, up from 2 in 2018. Hilltop Montessori is another encouraging sign of Catholic family life and educational energy in Steubenville. Its growth shows that families are looking for creative, high-quality, faith-friendly education options here, and that small, mission-driven institutions can take root and thrive in Steubenville.
College of St. Joseph the Worker - 63 students for fall 2025, with 30 more on the way. The College of St. Joseph the Worker opened in fall 2024 and already had 63 students by fall 2025. Its students spend four years in Steubenville earning a Catholic Studies degree while training in residential construction trades like carpentry, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. This is especially important downtown because all students live and attend class downtown. And its ambition is bigger than 63 students. Founder Jacob Imam recently shared with Steubenville City Council that the college expects to grow to more than 200 students in the coming years.
Downtown should plan for and welcome growth
These key local indicators give us confidence that the 2030 Census will correct the number upward again. More importantly, it gives us confidence that Steubenville can show sustained population growth for the first time in decades.
That will only happen if we keep building. We need to retain more residents and attract more families, students, workers, and entrepreneurs. We need more housing, stronger neighborhoods, restored buildings, active storefronts, safer streets, and a downtown that gives people reasons to stay.
The model says Steubenville is shrinking. The evidence on the ground says Steubenville is stronger than that.
