Real Estate Investing in Carlton, Pennsylvania (16311)

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

Mercer County • Population: 397 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 16311 (Carlton, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 18.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Carlton, PA (16311)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $176,730
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,625
% Renters 9.1%

Market Analysis: 16311 Carlton

The 16311 ZIP in Carlton, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $177K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $177K asset, 16311 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

From an investor standpoint, 16311 offers a low basis, the region around Carlton has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 16311 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 16311 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 Carlton:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$229K$208K$186K$164K$143K$121KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 16311 Compare?

Metric 16311 Carlton Pennsylvania
Home Value $176,730 $176,730 $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 16311 (Carlton, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
-2.7%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $176,730
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 16.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 1.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.7% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
18.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.7%
Declining
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 16311

Population: 397

💰 Median Household Income
$72,625
This area
$72,625
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.3 years
This area
52.3 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.7%
This area
18.7%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Other/Mixed 1.1%
👶 Under 18
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 8 Off-Campus Students
C+
Crawford County Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing Program
25 students · 13.1 mi
C+
Allegheny College
1,231 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Which real estate strategy fits Carlton, PA?

The best-fit strategy in Carlton, PA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Carlton, PA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Carlton, PA. The rental market absorbs $873/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What are vacancy rates like in Carlton, PA?

Vacancy in Carlton, PA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $873/mo.

Is housing expensive in Carlton, PA?

Carlton, PA median home values land near $177K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $873/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Carlton, PA a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Carlton, PA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $177K home prices against $873/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

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How 16311 ranks in Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA

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