Is Martins Ferry Safe, Pros and cons of living in Martins Ferry

Martins Ferry, Ohio, nestled along the Ohio River, presents a blend of historical charm and modern living. This community offers a distinct lifestyle characterized by affordability and a close-knit atmosphere. For those considering a move, understanding the various facets of life in Martins Ferry, from its safety and economic landscape to its climate and educational opportunities, is essential.

The city provides a unique proposition for potential residents, appealing to first-time homebuyers, retirees, and individuals seeking a comfortable life without the high costs often associated with larger urban centers. Its real estate market, in particular, offers significant value, making it an attractive option for investment and homeownership.

Is it Safe to Live in Martins Ferry?

Crime Rates

Martins Ferry’s overall crime rate is reported to be significantly lower than the national average. The city experiences a crime rate that is 65% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to an average of approximately 0.12 daily crimes, with a breakdown of 0.06 violent incidents and 0.07 property-related offenses.

When examining violent crime specifically, Martins Ferry’s rate is very close to the national average, with 349 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 359 per 100,000 (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime rates are notably lower, with a rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, which is 77.4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Martins Ferry is reported as 1 in 134 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes).

Neighborhood Safety

Safety perceptions can vary within Martins Ferry, with residents generally considering the northwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by Crime Maps and Statistics). Conversely, crime statistics indicate that the southern parts of Martins Ferry see the most incidents, with approximately 72 crimes per year, while the southeast part of the city reports very few incidents annually (as reported by Crime Maps and Statistics).

The cost of crime per resident in Martins Ferry is estimated at $627 per year, which is higher than both the national and Ohio state averages (as reported by Crime Maps and Statistics). This figure includes criminal justice system costs, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from offenders.

Cost of Living and Housing

Overall Affordability

Martins Ferry is recognized for its notably affordable cost of living, encompassing goods and services, transportation, utilities, groceries, and healthcare (as reported by AreaVibes and Kurby AI). This affordability is a significant draw for individuals and families looking to maximize their budget.

The city’s housing market further contributes to its affordability. The median home value in Martins Ferry is approximately $90,400, which is considerably lower than the U.S. average of around $350,000 (as reported by Kurby AI and Niche). This makes homeownership more accessible compared to many other areas.

Housing Market Trends

The median listing price for homes in Martins Ferry is around $117,900, with a year-over-year price growth of approximately 5.27% (as reported by realtor.com). Homes typically spend a median of 70 days on the market and sell at 100% of the list price (as reported by realtor.com).

The median rent in Martins Ferry is approximately $760 per month (as reported by Kurby AI), with a more recent average rent of $1,000 across all bedrooms and property types (as reported by Zillow and Dwellsy.com). For renters, one-bedroom apartments average around $725 per month, while two-bedroom units are about $1,000 (as reported by Trulia).

Job Market and Economy

Employment Landscape

The employment sector in Martins Ferry has seen a slight decline, with employment decreasing by 3.28% between 2023 and 2024, from approximately 2,650 to 2,560 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common industries employing Martins Ferry residents are Retail Trade, Accommodation & Food Services, and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA).

Job roles that are most common among residents include those in Sales & Related Occupations, Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations, and Material Moving Occupations (as reported by Data USA). The average annual salary in Martins Ferry is approximately $45,670, with an hourly equivalent of about $21.96 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Unemployment and Major Employers

Recent data indicates a significant increase in Martins Ferry’s unemployment rate, rising from 8.8% in 2017 to 17.5% in 2023, an 8.7 percentage point increase (as reported by CensusDepth). The OhioMeansJobs Belmont County office provides resources for job seekers, including resume assistance and access to job openings (as reported by OhioMeansJobs Belmont County).

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the Ohio Valley Job Fair is mentioned as an upcoming event in 2026, indicating a regional focus on employment opportunities (as reported by OhioMeansJobs Belmont County). The City of Martins Ferry’s average annual salary for its employees is estimated at $91,303, with roles like Police Chief earning significantly higher (as reported by Salary.com).

Climate and Weather

Average Temperatures and Seasons

Martins Ferry experiences a climate with temperatures generally ranging from 21°F to 84°F throughout the year (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Livability.com). The warm season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 74°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 83°F and lows of 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Conversely, the cold season spans from late November to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 47°F. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures around 21°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Plantmaps).

Precipitation and Seasonal Conditions

The average annual precipitation in Martins Ferry is approximately 41 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with June typically seeing the most rain, averaging about 3.4 inches, while January receives the least, around 1.7 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Winter months can bring snowfall, with an average annual snowfall of about 19 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). Measurable snowfall typically occurs from December through March, with January being the snowiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

School District Performance

Martins Ferry, OH public schools serve approximately 1,310 students across three schools, with an additional three private schools serving 241 students (as reported by Niche). The Martins Ferry City School District holds an overall Niche grade of C, with a rating of 3.82 out of 5 based on 11 reviews (as reported by Niche).

Public schools in Martins Ferry show average math proficiency scores of 52% and reading proficiency scores of 58%, which are slightly below the Ohio state averages of 55% and 60%, respectively (as reported by Niche). The schools in Martins Ferry have an average ranking of 3 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Ohio public schools (as reported by Niche).

School-Specific Data

Anna Marie Ayers Elementary School, Martins Ferry Middle School, and Martins Ferry High School are among the top-ranked public schools in the area (as reported by Niche). Martins Ferry High School has a graduation rate of 87% and an average ACT score of 23 (as reported by Homes.com).

The student-teacher ratio in Martins Ferry’s public schools is approximately 19:1 (as reported by Niche). Minority enrollment in Martins Ferry public schools is about 16% of the student body, which is less than the Ohio public school average of 34% (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Community

Population and Diversity

Martins Ferry is home to a population of approximately 6,140 residents, a slight decrease from the 6,260 recorded in the 2020 Census (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). The population is projected to be around 5,953 by 2026, indicating a continued decline (as reported by Census Dots).

The racial makeup of Martins Ferry is predominantly White, accounting for 79.2% of the population, followed by those of Two or More Races (10%), and Black or African American (6%) (as reported by Census Dots and Data USA). The city is becoming more racially diverse since the 2020 Census, though it remains less diverse than Ohio as a whole (as reported by Census Dots).

Age and Household Income

The median age of residents in Martins Ferry is 40.6 years (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). For males, the median age is 38.1 years, and for females, it is 44.8 years.

The median household income in Martins Ferry was $37,467 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). However, a significant portion of families, 27.1%, live below the poverty line (as reported by Data USA).