Real Estate Investing in Alcolu, South Carolina (29001)

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

Clarendon County • Population: 2,244 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29001 (Alcolu, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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

📈 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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 13.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 5.1% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Alcolu, SC (29001)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $165,711
Avg Monthly Rent $855
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,329
% Renters 30.5%

Market Analysis: 29001 Alcolu

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Alcolu's 29001 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $166K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $166K asset, 29001 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within SC, ZIP 29001 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Clarendon County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

The 29001 ZIP's population of 2,244 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 29001 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $166K 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 Alcolu:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $855/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Sumter, SC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.8%
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 Sumter, SC metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$207K$184K$161K$139K$116K$93KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29001 Compare?

Metric 29001 Alcolu Sumter, SC South Carolina
Home Value $165,711 $165,711 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $855 $855 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29001? 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 29001 (Alcolu, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
-2.1%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Sumter, SC metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
57%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $165,711
Monthly Rent $855
Price-to-Rent 16.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 1.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -5.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.1% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
13.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.1%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29001

Population: 2,244

💰 Median Household Income
$60,329
This area
$60,329
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.5%
This area
30.5%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.9%
This area
12.9%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.9 years
This area
35.9 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 48.6%
Black/African American 41.7%
Other/Mixed 9.7%
Hispanic/Latino 6.2%
👶 Under 18
31.3%
This area
31.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.5%
This area
24.5%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Morris College
421 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Alcolu, SC?

Average rent in Alcolu, SC is approximately $855/mo per month. Against $166K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Alcolu, SC?

For house hackers, Alcolu, SC is a challenging. The $855/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $166K property.

Is vacancy a concern in Alcolu, SC?

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

Is housing expensive in Alcolu, SC?

Alcolu, SC median home values land near $166K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $855/mo-per-month rentals.

How do experienced investors play Alcolu, SC?

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

You know 29001 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29001 ranks in Sumter, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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