Real Estate Investing in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania (17970)

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

Schuylkill County • Population: 3,130 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 17970 (Saint Clair, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (84/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
GOOD
4.0 / 5 (71/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 21.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Saint Clair, PA (17970)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $110,000
Avg Monthly Rent $990
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,241
% Renters 23.3%

Market Analysis: 17970 Saint Clair

The 17970 ZIP covers a section of Saint Clair that demands careful diligence. Prices near $110K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $110K asset, 17970 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

From a cash-flow lens, 17970 offers a low basis, the region around Saint Clair has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 17970 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 17970 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Saint Clair:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $990/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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$118K$100K$83K$66K$48K$31KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 17970 Compare?

Metric 17970 Saint Clair Pottsville, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $110,000 $110,000 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 8.3% 8.3% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $990 $990 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.0% 7.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 17970? Click to expand

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 17970 (Saint Clair, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
7.0%
Good
5yr Growth
+8.3%
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 $110,000
Monthly Rent $990
Price-to-Rent 9.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.8%
Cap Rate 7.0%
5-Year IRR 15.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +11.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.0%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
21.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 17970

Population: 3,130

💰 Median Household Income
$59,241
This area
$59,241
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.7 years
This area
45.7 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.9%
Other/Mixed 3.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.1%
👶 Under 18
16.3%
This area
16.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
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 17970

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$22,921 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Saint Clair Area El/MS

📚 K – 08 School
👥
536 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,921 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

4 Nearby 411 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Pottsville
56 students · 1.0 mi
C
Joseph F McCloskey School of Nursing
55 students · 2.5 mi
C
Schuylkill Technology Center
74 students · 4.3 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill
650 students · 5.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical vacancy rate in Saint Clair, PA?

Occupancy in Saint Clair, PA runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $990/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How strong is tenant demand in Saint Clair, PA?

Working renters make up the core of the Saint Clair, PA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Where do home prices stand in Saint Clair, PA?

Saint Clair, PA home values average about $110K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $990/mo in monthly income.

Does house hacking make sense in Saint Clair, PA?

House hacking in Saint Clair, PA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $110K and rents of $990/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Saint Clair, PA?

For rental operators, Saint Clair, PA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

You know 17970 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 17970 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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How 17970 ranks in Pottsville, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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