Real Estate Investing in Jacksonville, North Carolina (28540)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 28540 (Jacksonville, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 12.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Jacksonville, NC (28540)?
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Market Analysis: 28540 Jacksonville
The 28540 ZIP in Jacksonville, NC is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $261K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
The 28540 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
ZIP 28540's metrics run below Onslow County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Employment concentration in 28540 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
The right play in 28540 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Jacksonville:
Property Strategy for 28540
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $161,578 | $1,140 | 5.1% | +12.8% | $80,789 |
| 3BR | $244,714 | $1,590 | 4.7% | +9.6% | $81,571 |
| 4BR | $326,789 | $1,910 | 4.2% | +8.7% | $81,697 |
| 5BR | $423,837 | — | — | +8.0% | $84,767 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 28540 Compare?
| Metric | 28540 | Jacksonville | Jacksonville, NC | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $260,622 | $132,653 | N/A | $330,565 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.0% | 7.8% | N/A | 7.8% |
| Avg Rent | $1,425 | $1,416 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28540 (Jacksonville, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $260,622 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,425 |
| Price-to-Rent | 15.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.6% |
| Cap Rate | 4.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +2.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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.
Demographics in 28540
Population: 50,808
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 28540
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 1,348 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How landlord-friendly is Jacksonville, NC?
Landlord-friendliness in Jacksonville, NC is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
How strong is the working-renter base in Jacksonville, NC?
The renter base in Jacksonville, NC is reasonable for the $1,425/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.
How should investors approach Jacksonville, NC?
Most investors in Jacksonville, NC run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
How high is vacancy risk in Jacksonville, NC?
Jacksonville, NC carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect predictable absorption at market rents of $1,425/mo.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Jacksonville, NC?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Jacksonville, NC reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
You know 28540 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 28540 ranks in Jacksonville, NC
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