Real Estate Investing in Buckhannon, West Virginia (26201)

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

Upshur County • Population: 19,020 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26201 (Buckhannon, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Buckhannon, WV (26201)?

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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 $162,338
Avg Monthly Rent $925
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,962
% Renters 25.2%

Market Analysis: 26201 Buckhannon

ZIP 26201 in Buckhannon, WV carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $162K and rents of $925/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $162K asset, 26201 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 26201 sits on the difficult end of the WV spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 26201 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 26201 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 Buckhannon:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $925/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 26201

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
8.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$50,551/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $64,496 $720 8.0% +5.2% $64,496
2BR $117,657 $940 5.8% +7.7% $58,829
3BR $178,611 $1,180 4.8% +6.8% $59,537
4BR $210,517 $1,570 5.4% +6.5% $52,629
5BR $252,756 +6.7% $50,551

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$170K$155K$140K$125K$110K$95KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 26201 Compare?

Metric 26201 Buckhannon West Virginia
Home Value $162,338 $146,895 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 3.9% 6.1%
Avg Rent $925 $866 -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 26201? 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 26201 (Buckhannon, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $162,338
Monthly Rent $925
Price-to-Rent 14.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

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

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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
10.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26201

Population: 19,020

💰 Median Household Income
$49,962
This area
$49,962
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.9%
This area
10.9%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.7%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Black/African American 2.0%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
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 26201

B Avg School Grade
8 Schools
17.4:1 Avg Class Size
$13,627 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

B-u Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
742 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
B Good

Buckhannon Academy Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
517 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
B Good

Washington District Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
121 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
B Good

Union Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
258 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
B Good

Buckhannon Upshur High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,120 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
B Good

Tennerton Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 Per Student
C+ Average

Fred W Eberle Tech Center

📚 10 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$13,627 Per Student
C Below Average

Hodgesville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
23.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,627 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

2 Nearby 52 Off-Campus Students
C
West Virginia Wesleyan College
991 students · 1.1 mi
B
Fred W Eberle Technical Center
119 students · 1.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Buckhannon, WV make sense for an investment property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Buckhannon, WV ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $162K and rents of $925/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What is the average monthly rent in Buckhannon, WV?

Expect rents around $925/mo per month in Buckhannon, WV. With home values at $162K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Which real estate strategy fits Buckhannon, WV?

The best-fit strategy in Buckhannon, WV is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How deep is the rental pool in Buckhannon, WV?

The tenant pool in Buckhannon, WV is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $925/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is rental property easy to operate in Buckhannon, WV?

The landlord environment in Buckhannon, WV is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 26201 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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