Real Estate Investing in Cherryville, North Carolina (28021)

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

Gaston County • Population: 13,668 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28021 (Cherryville, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Cherryville, NC (28021)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $252,011
Avg Monthly Rent $1,100
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,377
% Renters 24.3%

Market Analysis: 28021 Cherryville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Cherryville's 28021 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $252K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 28021 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $252K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within NC, ZIP 28021 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Gaston County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 28021 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 28021 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $252K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Cherryville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,100/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 28021

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$79,341/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $158,683 $1,030 4.7% +10.4% $79,341
3BR $263,991 $1,320 3.6% +9.3% $87,997
4BR $374,947 $1,610 3.1% +8.6% $93,737

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$268K$230K$191K$152K$113K$74KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 28021 Compare?

Metric 28021 Cherryville North Carolina
Home Value $252,011 $252,011 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,100 $1,100 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 28021? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28021 (Cherryville, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 28021 (Cherryville, NC)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $252,011
Monthly Rent $1,100
Price-to-Rent 19.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28021

Population: 13,668

💰 Median Household Income
$53,377
This area
$53,377
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.3%
This area
24.3%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.5%
This area
22.5%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.2 years
This area
40.2 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.0%
Black/African American 4.7%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
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 28021

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$11,856 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Cherryville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
389 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,856 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Cherryville High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
508 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,856 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John Chavis Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,856 Per Student
C+ Average

W B Beam Intermediate School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
189 Students
👨‍🏫
20.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,856 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 2,585 Off-Campus Students
C
Cleveland Community College
1,890 students · 9.5 mi
C+
Gaston College
5,871 students · 13.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,585 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Cherryville, NC?

Rent in Cherryville, NC is around $1,100/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $252K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Cherryville, NC?

Rental vacancy in Cherryville, NC is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is Cherryville, NC a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Cherryville, NC will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $252K median home values and $1,100/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Cherryville, NC?

Cherryville, NC is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $252K price point reasonable to enter.

What is the median home value in Cherryville, NC?

Expect median prices around $252K in Cherryville, NC. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

You know 28021 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 28021 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 28021 ranks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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