Real Estate Investing in Ellenboro, West Virginia (26346)

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

Ritchie • Population: 637 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26346 (Ellenboro, WV)? 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 12.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Ellenboro, WV (26346)?

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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 $112,430
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,058
% Renters 16.7%

Market Analysis: 26346 Ellenboro

ZIP 26346 in Ellenboro, WV carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $112K and rents of $810/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $112K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 26346 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader WV picture, 26346 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 26346 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 26346, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Ellenboro:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$116K$106K$96K$86K$76K$66KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26346 Compare?

Metric 26346 Ellenboro West Virginia
Home Value $112,430 $112,430 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.4% 6.1%
Avg Rent $810 $810 -
Cap Rate 5.6% 5.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 26346? 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 26346 (Ellenboro, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $112,430
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 11.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
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: 5.6%  |  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
12.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26346

Population: 637

💰 Median Household Income
$61,058
This area
$61,058
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.9 years
This area
37.9 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.5%
Other/Mixed 1.6%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 26346

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$17,693 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Ritchie County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
348 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,693 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ritchie County Middle

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,693 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tenant pool like in Ellenboro, WV?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Ellenboro, WV. The rental market absorbs $810/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is real estate in Ellenboro, WV a good investment right now?

Ellenboro, WV scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $112K and rents near $810/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What price range are homes in Ellenboro, WV?

Median home price in Ellenboro, WV is near $112K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is rental property easy to operate in Ellenboro, WV?

Landlord-friendliness in Ellenboro, WV is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

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

Ellenboro, WV is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $112K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 26346 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26346 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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