Real Estate Investing in Wilmington, Delaware (19802)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 19802 (Wilmington, DE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
What’s happening in Wilmington, DE (19802)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 19802 Wilmington
ZIP 19802 inside New Castle County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $200K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The 19802 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Regionally, 19802 sits on the difficult end of the DE spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Put differently, 25,670 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Strategy in 19802 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $200K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Wilmington:
Property Strategy for 19802
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $143,771 | $1,340 | 6.7% | +8.0% | $143,771 |
| 2BR | $180,919 | $1,600 | 6.4% | +10.6% | $90,460 |
| 3BR | $199,405 | $1,920 | 6.9% | +10.2% | $66,468 |
| 4BR | $255,826 | $2,140 | 6.0% | +8.8% | $63,956 |
| 5BR | $355,098 | — | — | +7.5% | $71,020 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 19802 Compare?
| Metric | 19802 | Wilmington | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $199,887 | $404,416 | $397,840 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.1% | 5.4% | 6.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,662 | $1,955 | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 19802 (Wilmington, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 19802 (Wilmington, DE)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
Property managers serving New Castle County
Manage rentals here? List your business →REDA One offers real estate management software, including CRM, leasing, property management, accounting, and digital experience modules. summary from their website
Swalm Property Management provides property management solutions. summary from their website
WOLFBOATS is a platform for online games with unlimited bonuses. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $199,887 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,662 |
| Price-to-Rent | 10.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 10.0% |
| Cap Rate | 6.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -1.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +15.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.5%). 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.
Demographics in 19802
Population: 25,670
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 19802
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Lewis (William C.) Dual Language Elementary School
Carrcroft Elementary School
Johnson (Joseph E. Jr) Elementary School
Lombardy Elementary School
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilmington, DE a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Wilmington, DE scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $200K and rents near $1,662/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the tenant pool like in Wilmington, DE?
Wilmington, DE draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $1,662/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Which real estate strategy fits Wilmington, DE?
Wilmington, DE investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($200K prices, $1,662/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Wilmington, DE?
Wilmington, DE carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,662/mo.
Are homes affordable in Wilmington, DE?
Expect median prices around $200K in Wilmington, DE. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.
You know 19802 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19802 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.
How 19802 ranks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 19802 (Wilmington)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 19802 (Wilmington, DE).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.