Real Estate Investing in Rockport, Maine (04856)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Knox County • Population: 3,663 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04856 (Rockport, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 24.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Rockport, ME (04856)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $599,035
Avg Monthly Rent $1,575
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,188
% Renters 23.2%

Market Analysis: 04856 Rockport

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Rockport's 04856 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $599K pricing implies.

The 04856 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Rockport have seen price recovery that 04856 has not matched. Knox County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 04856 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 04856 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Rockport:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,575/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 04856

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+12.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$208,785/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $424,941 $1,750 3.0% +9.7% $212,471
3BR $626,354 $2,210 2.5% +12.4% $208,785
4BR $835,671 $2,390 2.1% +12.9% $208,918
5BR $1,427,284 +12.7% $285,457

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$636K$551K$466K$381K$296K$211KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04856 Compare?

Metric 04856 Rockport Maine
Home Value $599,035 $599,035 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,575 $1,575 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 04856? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04856 (Rockport, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $599,035
Monthly Rent $1,575
Price-to-Rent 31.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
24.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04856

Population: 3,663

💰 Median Household Income
$86,188
This area
$86,188
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.2%
This area
43.2%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.5 years
This area
45.5 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.6%
This area
24.6%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.6%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
Asian 1.0%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 04856

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$23,394 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Camden-Rockport Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
348 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,360 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Camden Hills Regional H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
745 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,428 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Maine Media College
24 students · 2.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do rents currently stand in Rockport, ME?

The typical rental in Rockport, ME commands about $1,575/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $599K purchase basis.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Rockport, ME?

Rockport, ME vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is Rockport, ME a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Our data puts Rockport, ME at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $599K and rents around $1,575/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Is the tenant base reliable in Rockport, ME?

The renter base in Rockport, ME is reasonable for the $1,575/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

Where do home prices stand in Rockport, ME?

Rockport, ME median home values land near $599K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,575/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 04856 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04856 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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