Real Estate Investing in Elizabeth, West Virginia (26143)

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

Wirt County • Population: 3,326 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26143 (Elizabeth, 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: 21.8% 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 Elizabeth, WV (26143)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $113,330
Avg Monthly Rent $801
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,429
% Renters 17.5%

Market Analysis: 26143 Elizabeth

Investors eyeing 26143 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $113K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 26143 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader WV picture, 26143 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 26143 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Elizabeth averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

New investors are better served looking at Elizabeth's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 26143. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Elizabeth:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $801/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.3%
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 Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 26143

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$42,838/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $92,207 $890 6.9% +6.6% $46,103
3BR $143,057 $1,140 5.7% +5.2% $47,686
4BR $171,353 $1,200 5.0% +5.0% $42,838

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$126K$117K$107K$98K$89K$80KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26143 Compare?

Metric 26143 Elizabeth Parkersburg-Vienna, WV West Virginia
Home Value $113,330 $132,966 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR 1.6% 2.4% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $801 $810 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.5% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 26143? 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 26143 (Elizabeth, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $113,330
Monthly Rent $801
Price-to-Rent 11.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.5%
Cap Rate 5.5%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.5%). 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
21.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26143

Population: 3,326

💰 Median Household Income
$56,429
This area
$56,429
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.5%
This area
17.5%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.2 years
This area
47.2 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.8%
Other/Mixed 0.7%
Black/African American 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.0%
This area
16.0%
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 26143

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.5:1 Avg Class Size
$16,937 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Wirt County Primary Center

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
350 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,937 Per Student
A Very Good

Wirt County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,937 Per Student
A Very Good

Wirt County Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
263 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,937 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

1 Nearby 912 Off-Campus Students
C+
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
2,584 students · 12.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 912 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Elizabeth, WV?

Yes - Elizabeth, WV a 3.0/5 investability score. With $113K home prices against $801/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Are tenants stable in Elizabeth, WV?

Elizabeth, WV draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $801/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Elizabeth, WV?

Occupancy in Elizabeth, WV runs predictable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $801/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Elizabeth, WV?

The house hack math a challenging in Elizabeth, WV. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $801/mo rents and $113K home values.

Are rents high in Elizabeth, WV?

Elizabeth, WV rentals go for roughly $801/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $113K acquisition costs.

You know 26143 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26143 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 26143 ranks in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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