The affordable, welcoming bedroom community of Mingo Junction
Mingo Junction sits along the Ohio River just south of the growing town of Steubenville, about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh. Local engagement is important in this quiet bedroom community of about 3,200. Residents here are active in organizations like St. Agnes Church and the Knights of Columbus. They spend their summers at the community pool and attend events like fish fries in the spring and the Strawberry Festival in the summer. “We are fortunate to have a state-of-the-art elementary and junior high school, affordable housing opportunities and a safe environment, making our town an ideal place to raise a family,” says Mayor Judy Ruckman.
The mayor says convenience is another factor in Mingo Junction’s popularity. The community is close to major cities and enjoys easy access to Routes 7, 22 and 70 and State Route 43. “We are truly in a unique position to grow and thrive as a welcoming bedroom community.”
Affordable housing attracts buyers
Most single-family homes cost between $50,000 and $250,000. Styles range from early 20th-century American Foursquares and bungalows to midcentury ranch-style and bi-level homes. Sidewalks and curbs are inconsistent on residential streets. Ruckman says affordability is a significant factor attracting buyers. “If you picked up a house and moved it to another state, it would be half a million or more,” she says.
Indian Creek Local School District and a nearby university
Indian Creek Local School District gets an overall B-minus grade from Niche. Indian Creek Hills Elementary receives a B, Indian Creek Middle School gets a C-plus for its fifth- and sixth-grade program and a C for its seventh- and eighth-grade program, and Indian Creek High School gets a B-minus. In 2022, the district completed the construction of a new $45 million campus for Indian Creek High School. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university that enrolls nearly 4,000 students annually.
A swimming pool, fishing and walking trails
Aracoma Park has a swimming pool and splash pad with a playground and a picnic pavilion. Residents can launch boats and fish from the Mingo Junction Marina, located off the Ohio River in Cross Creek. Steubenville’s Beatty Park has wooded walking trails along streams with birdwatching opportunities, playgrounds and a disc golf course.
Local taverns and grocery shopping
Hillsboro Grill & Tavern was founded in the 1940s as an after-work hangout. Today, it serves lunch and dinner every day with daily specials like Pounder Wing Night on Monday, Thirsty Thursday and Fish Friday. Town House Bar & Grill is a cozy tavern serving American fare and drinks on the east end of town. On the town’s south end, Mingo Diner serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Groceries are available at Dollar General and Pesta’s Country Store, a local shop selling fresh produce, meat, cheese and homemade baked goods.
Fish fries, a Christmas tree lighting and a Strawberry Festival
The Mingo Knights of Columbus hosts a fish fry every Friday of Lent – typically February through April – in the Mingo Knights of Columbus Hall. Residents can book events like weddings and graduation parties there throughout the year. In June, St. Agnes Parish’s Catholic Women’s Club Strawberry Festival features live music, food trucks, local vendors and strawberry-themed treats. In December, the community kicks off the Christmas season with Light Up Night, a Christmas tree lighting with performances by the Indian Creek Hills Elementary School Choir and the Indian Creek High School Band.
Location along the Ohio River and proximity to Pittsburgh
Mingo Junction is located on the Ohio side of the Ohio River, 43 miles west of Pittsburgh. “It’s an easy commute,” Ruckman says. “It’s 45 minutes on a good day to Pittsburgh. The community’s closest hospital is Trinity Medical Center East, less than 5 miles away, and its nearest airport is Pittsburgh International Airport, about 30 miles away.
