Real Estate Investing in Pottsville, Pennsylvania (17901)

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

Schuylkill County • Population: 22,557 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 17901 (Pottsville, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (86/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Pottsville, PA (17901)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $156,123
Avg Monthly Rent $1,187
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,429
% Renters 31.1%

Market Analysis: 17901 Pottsville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Pottsville's 17901 ZIP reflects signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $156K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $156K asset, 17901 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 17901 and stronger Pottsville ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 17901 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 17901 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 Pottsville:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 81/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,187/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Pottsville, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
36 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.8%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Pottsville, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 17901

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$29,842/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $105,481 $1,040 7.1% +11.0% $52,740
3BR $144,847 $1,350 6.7% +9.6% $48,282
4BR $191,287 $1,420 5.3% +9.5% $47,822
5BR $149,212 +11.3% $29,842

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$165K$144K$123K$103K$82K$61KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,310$1,239$1,167$1,096$1,025$953May 2024Jun 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 17901 Compare?

Metric 17901 Pottsville Pottsville, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $156,123 $156,123 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,187 $1,187 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.9% 5.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 17901? 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 17901 (Pottsville, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Pottsville, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
47%
Days Pending
0/2
36 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $156,123
Monthly Rent $1,187
Price-to-Rent 11.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.1%
Cap Rate 5.9%
5-Year IRR 13.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.9%). 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 17901

Population: 22,557

💰 Median Household Income
$55,429
This area
$55,429
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.1%
This area
31.1%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.9 years
This area
43.9 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.2%
Other/Mixed 4.0%
Black/African American 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.5%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.9%
This area
13.9%
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 17901

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$17,874 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lengel MS

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
682 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,093 Per Student
A Very Good

Gillingham Charter School

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,251 Per Student
A Very Good

Clarke El Ctr

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
845 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,093 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pottsville Area HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
951 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,093 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Early Childhood Edu Ctr

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
102 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,842 Per Student

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Minersville Area El Ctr

📚 01 – 06 School
📍 North Fifth Street, Minersville
👥
455 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,842 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Minersville Area JSHS

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 Battlin Miner Dr & Low Rd, Minersville
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,842 Per Student
B Good

Schuylkill Technology Centers-South Campus

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 15 Maple Avenue, Mar Lin
👥
17 Students
👨‍🏫
1.0:1 Class Size
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

4 Nearby 411 Off-Campus Students
C
Joseph F McCloskey School of Nursing
55 students · 3.5 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Pottsville
56 students · 3.7 mi
C
Schuylkill Technology Center
74 students · 5.8 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill
650 students · 5.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical vacancy rate in Pottsville, PA?

Pottsville, PA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,187/mo.

What kind of tenants rent in Pottsville, PA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Pottsville, PA. The rental market absorbs $1,187/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What is the typical home price in Pottsville, PA?

Pottsville, PA median home values land near $156K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,187/mo-per-month rentals.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Pottsville, PA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Pottsville, PA. With home values at $156K and rents near $1,187/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

Is Pottsville, PA a friendly market for rental owners?

Landlord-friendliness in Pottsville, PA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

You know 17901 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 17901 ranks in Pottsville, PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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