Real Estate Investing in Wilmington, Delaware (19809)

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

New Castle County • Population: 15,129 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 19809 (Wilmington, DE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Wilmington, DE (19809)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $322,490
Avg Monthly Rent $1,667
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,923
% Renters 28.9%

Market Analysis: 19809 Wilmington

The 19809 ZIP in Wilmington, DE is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $322K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 19809 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $322K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader DE picture, 19809 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

On the rental side, 15,129 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.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Wilmington:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,667/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 19809

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$98,102/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $224,214 $1,780 5.7% +6.3% $112,107
3BR $307,928 $2,130 5.0% +6.5% $102,643
4BR $408,434 $2,380 4.2% +6.7% $102,108
5BR $490,511 +6.7% $98,102

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$339K$303K$268K$232K$196K$160KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,737$1,648$1,560$1,471$1,382$1,293Jul 2022Jul 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 19809 Compare?

Metric 19809 Wilmington Delaware
Home Value $322,490 $404,416 $397,840
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 5.4% 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,667 $1,955 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 19809? 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 19809 (Wilmington, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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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

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Swalm Property Management provides property management solutions. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $322,490
Monthly Rent $1,667
Price-to-Rent 16.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
6.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19809

Population: 15,129

💰 Median Household Income
$83,923
This area
$83,923
State
$82,016
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.9%
This area
28.9%
State
21.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-26.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.3%
This area
44.3%
State
2.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.7 years
This area
37.7 years
State
-1.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
State
13.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.8%
Black/African American 21.8%
Asian 6.9%
Other/Mixed 6.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
👶 Under 18
25.5%
This area
25.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.4%
This area
13.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
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 19809

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$21,794 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Mount Pleasant Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
710 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,794 Per Student
A Very Good

Mount Pleasant High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,074 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,794 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

duPont (Pierre S.) Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 701 West 34th Street, Wilmington
👥
749 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,794 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Harlan (David W. ) Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 3601 Jefferson Street, Wilmington
👥
343 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,794 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Shortlidge (Evan G.) Academy

📚 K – 02 Elementary
📍 100 West 18th Street, Wilmington
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Warner Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 801 West 18th Street, Wilmington
👥
374 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

East Side Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
📍 3000 North Claymont Street, Wilmington
👥
446 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,899 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

8 Nearby 391 Off-Campus Students
F
Strayer University-Delaware
269 students · 2.6 mi
C
Delaware College of Art and Design
104 students · 2.8 mi
C
Salem Community College
1,094 students · 4.4 mi
C
Wilmington University
14,678 students · 6.9 mi
C
Neumann University
2,171 students · 8.7 mi
C
Goldey-Beacom College
1,074 students · 10.0 mi
C+
Widener University
5,610 students · 10.6 mi
C
Dawn Career Institute LLC
385 students · 11.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Wilmington, DE?

Typical homes in Wilmington, DE go for around $322K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% reliable price movement.

Is rental property easy to operate in Wilmington, DE?

DE law balanced for landlords, and Wilmington inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is house hacking profitable in Wilmington, DE?

For house hackers, Wilmington, DE is a challenging. The $1,667/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $322K property.

Are there empty rentals in Wilmington, DE?

Wilmington, DE carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $1,667/mo.

Where do rents currently stand in Wilmington, DE?

Rent in Wilmington, DE is around $1,667/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $322K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 19809 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19809 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 19809 ranks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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