Real Estate Investing in Taylorsville, North Carolina (28681)

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

Alexander County • Population: 26,117 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28681 (Taylorsville, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Taylorsville, NC (28681)?

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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 $270,778
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,309
% Renters 18.7%

Market Analysis: 28681 Taylorsville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Taylorsville's 28681 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $271K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 28681 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $271K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 28681 sits on the difficult end of the NC spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 28681 ZIP's population of 26,117 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

The 28681 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 Taylorsville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.2%
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 28681

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$101,771/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $228,609 $980 3.1% +10.4% $114,305
3BR $305,312 $1,230 2.9% +9.9% $101,771
4BR $426,020 $1,490 2.5% +9.7% $106,505

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$284K$246K$209K$171K$133K$95KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28681 Compare?

Metric 28681 Taylorsville Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC North Carolina
Home Value $270,778 $270,778 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $882 $882 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 28681? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28681 (Taylorsville, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $270,778
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 25.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
15.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28681

Population: 26,117

💰 Median Household Income
$59,309
This area
$59,309
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.7%
This area
18.7%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.3 years
This area
44.3 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.1%
This area
15.1%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.2%
Black/African American 5.4%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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 28681

B Avg School Grade
8 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$13,412 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Ellendale Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
201 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

Bethlehem Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

West Alexander Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
463 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

Alexander Central High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,248 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

Taylorsville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

Wittenburg Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
279 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
B Good

Sugar Loaf Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
194 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 Per Student
C Below Average

Alexander Early College

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
169 Students
👨‍🏫
24.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,412 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 331 Off-Campus Students
C
Lenoir-Rhyne University
2,230 students · 13.9 mi
C+
Wilkes Community College
2,405 students · 15.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Taylorsville, NC?

Typical homes in Taylorsville, NC go for around $271K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

Which real estate strategy fits Taylorsville, NC?

In Taylorsville, NC the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $271K prices and $882/mo rents suits that approach.

How strict are landlord regulations in Taylorsville, NC?

NC ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Taylorsville generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is Taylorsville, NC a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Taylorsville, NC will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $271K median home values and $882/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Taylorsville, NC?

House hacking works a challenging in Taylorsville, NC. Rents of $882/mo against $271K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 28681 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 28681 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 28681 ranks in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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