Real Estate Investing in Richlands, North Carolina (28574)

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

Onslow County • Population: 20,631 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28574 (Richlands, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 14.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Richlands, NC (28574)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $278,535
Avg Monthly Rent $1,770
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,312
% Renters 27.3%

Market Analysis: 28574 Richlands

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Richlands's 28574 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $279K pricing implies.

The 28574 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Meanwhile, 28574 offers a low basis, the region around Richlands has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 28574 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 28574 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Richlands:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 78/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,770/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Jacksonville, NC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
47 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.0%
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 Jacksonville, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 28574

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$75,443/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $168,638 $1,150 4.9% +12.1% $84,319
3BR $265,511 $1,600 4.3% +9.7% $88,504
4BR $319,526 $1,930 4.3% +8.5% $79,881
5BR $377,215 +8.0% $75,443

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$290K$256K$222K$188K$153K$119KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,799$1,737$1,675$1,613$1,551$1,489Jan 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28574 Compare?

Metric 28574 Richlands Jacksonville, NC North Carolina
Home Value $278,535 $278,535 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 8.1% 8.1% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,770 $1,770 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 28574? 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 28574 (Richlands, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Jacksonville, NC metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
40%
Days Pending
1/2
47 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $278,535
Monthly Rent $1,770
Price-to-Rent 13.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 13.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +11.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
14.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28574

Population: 20,631

💰 Median Household Income
$61,312
This area
$61,312
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.4%
This area
20.4%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
28.6 years
This area
28.6 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.8%
This area
14.8%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.0%
Black/African American 9.0%
Other/Mixed 7.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
32.6%
This area
32.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
7.9%
This area
7.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
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 28574

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$11,413 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Heritage Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
532 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,413 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Richlands Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
620 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,413 Per Student
B Good

Trexler Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
759 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,413 Per Student
B Good

Richlands High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,043 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,413 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 1,348 Off-Campus Students
C
Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville
187 students · 10.6 mi
C
Coastal Carolina Community College
3,457 students · 13.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,348 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Richlands, NC?

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

Is real estate in Richlands, NC a good investment right now?

Richlands, NC clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $279K and average rents around $1,770/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Richlands, NC?

The median home value in Richlands, NC is roughly $279K. That puts it reasonable relative to the NC statewide average.

Is house hacking profitable in Richlands, NC?

The house hack math a challenging in Richlands, NC. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,770/mo rents and $279K home values.

Are renters plentiful in Richlands, NC?

Tenant demand in Richlands, NC is solid. The local workforce $1,770/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 28574 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 28574 ranks in Jacksonville, NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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