Real Estate Investing in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania (18229)

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

Carbon County • Population: 9,136 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18229 (Jim Thorpe, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 21.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Jim Thorpe, PA (18229)?

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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 $287,333
Avg Monthly Rent $1,748
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,367
% Renters 13.6%

Market Analysis: 18229 Jim Thorpe

The 18229 ZIP in Jim Thorpe, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $287K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 18229 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader PA picture, 18229 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 18229 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 18229 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 Jim Thorpe:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,748/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 18229

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$71,393/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $220,667 $1,360 4.4% +11.2% $110,334
3BR $284,242 $1,740 4.4% +10.6% $94,747
4BR $331,713 $1,810 3.9% +10.2% $82,928
5BR $356,965 +10.1% $71,393

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$301K$264K$226K$189K$152K$114KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 18229 Compare?

Metric 18229 Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania
Home Value $287,333 $287,333 $278,018
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,748 $1,748 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 18229? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 18229 (Jim Thorpe, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $287,333
Monthly Rent $1,748
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 12.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
21.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18229

Population: 9,136

💰 Median Household Income
$66,367
This area
$66,367
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.6%
This area
13.6%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.2%
This area
21.2%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.0%
Hispanic/Latino 5.9%
Other/Mixed 5.9%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
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 18229

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.6:1 Avg Class Size
$25,638 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Jim Thorpe Area HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
529 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$25,638 Per Student
A+ Excellent

L B Morris El Sch

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$25,638 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Carbon Career & Technical Institute

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
391 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Jim Thorpe, PA?

For Jim Thorpe, PA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Where do rents currently stand in Jim Thorpe, PA?

Investors in Jim Thorpe, PA typically see rents near $1,748/mo per month against $287K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What kind of tenants rent in Jim Thorpe, PA?

Jim Thorpe, PA offers a measured renter base at the $1,748/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How landlord-friendly is Jim Thorpe, PA?

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

Is Jim Thorpe, PA a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Jim Thorpe, PA reflects its $287K prices and $1,748/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within PA.

You know 18229 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18229 ranks in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

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