Real Estate Investing in Wellsburg, West Virginia (26070)

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

Brooke County • Population: 7,951 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26070 (Wellsburg, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 15.5% 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 Wellsburg, WV (26070)?

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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 $121,776
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,908
% Renters 18.3%

Market Analysis: 26070 Wellsburg

The 26070 ZIP covers a section of Wellsburg that demands careful diligence. Prices near $122K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 26070 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader WV picture, 26070 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 26070 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategically, 26070 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 Wellsburg:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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 26070

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
8.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$42,329/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $66,772 $760 8.2% +4.9% $66,772
2BR $89,760 $970 7.8% +7.4% $44,880
3BR $139,203 $1,290 6.7% +5.6% $46,401
4BR $169,317 $1,480 6.3% +5.8% $42,329

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$135K$118K$102K$85K$69K$53KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26070 Compare?

Metric 26070 Wellsburg West Virginia
Home Value $121,776 $121,776 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 2.4% 2.4% 6.1%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 5.6% 5.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 26070? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26070 (Wellsburg, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.4%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $121,776
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 11.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.6%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.6%). 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
15.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26070

Population: 7,951

💰 Median Household Income
$49,908
This area
$49,908
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.5%
This area
24.5%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.2 years
This area
48.2 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.0%
Other/Mixed 3.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.7%
This area
7.7%
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 26070

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$16,231 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Brooke Primary School South

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
204 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 Per Student
A Very Good

Brooke Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
662 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Brooke High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
967 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Brooke Intermediate School South

📚 03 – 04 Elementary
👥
92 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 Per Student
C Below Average

The Bruin Bridge

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$16,231 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

7 Nearby 7,681 Off-Campus Students
C
Bethany College
671 students · 3.2 mi
C+
West Liberty University
2,348 students · 6.0 mi
C+
Franciscan University of Steubenville
3,750 students · 9.0 mi
C
Eastern Gateway Community College
15,493 students · 9.9 mi
D
Trinity Health System School of Nursing
25 students · 10.0 mi
D
Wheeling University
748 students · 13.7 mi
C
West Virginia Northern Community College
1,263 students · 14.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,681 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do home values compare in Wellsburg, WV?

Wellsburg, WV median home values land near $122K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $873/mo-per-month rentals.

How high is vacancy risk in Wellsburg, WV?

Wellsburg, WV vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

What is the renter demographic in Wellsburg, WV?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Wellsburg, WV. The rental market absorbs $873/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Wellsburg, WV a good market for FHA house hackers?

For house hackers, Wellsburg, WV is a challenging. The $873/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $122K property.

How landlord-friendly is Wellsburg, WV?

Wellsburg, WV falls under WV landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

You know 26070 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 26070 ranks in Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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