Real Estate Investing in Elgin, South Carolina (29045)

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

Kershaw County • Population: 28,896 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 29045 (Elgin, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

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

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Elgin, SC (29045)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $302,349
Avg Monthly Rent $1,831
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,098
% Renters 17.6%

Market Analysis: 29045 Elgin

ZIP 29045 in Elgin, SC carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $302K and rents of $1,831/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $302K asset, 29045 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 29045's metrics run below Kershaw 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 29045 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 29045 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Elgin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,831/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Columbia, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.6%
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 Columbia, SC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 29045

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$83,154/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $248,795 $1,430 4.1% +7.5% $124,398
3BR $258,171 $1,760 4.9% +7.6% $86,057
4BR $332,614 $2,100 4.5% +6.6% $83,154
5BR $434,407 +5.8% $86,881

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$315K$282K$249K$215K$182K$149KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,891$1,836$1,782$1,727$1,672$1,618Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29045 Compare?

Metric 29045 Elgin Columbia, SC South Carolina
Home Value $302,349 $302,349 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 5.1% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,831 $1,831 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29045? 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 29045 (Elgin, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.1%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbia, SC metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
52%
Days Pending
1/2
59 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $302,349
Monthly Rent $1,831
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +0.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
5.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29045

Population: 28,896

💰 Median Household Income
$76,098
This area
$76,098
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.6%
This area
17.6%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.9%
This area
29.9%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 56.4%
Black/African American 30.5%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 6.5%
Asian 2.6%
👶 Under 18
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
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 29045

A Avg School Grade
6 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$17,800 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Bookman Road Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
520 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,376 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bridge Creek Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
562 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,376 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Pontiac Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
791 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,376 Per Student
A Very Good

Blaney Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
757 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 Per Student
A Very Good

Catawba Trail Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
666 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,376 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Leslie M. Stover Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
692 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 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

4 Nearby
C
Southeastern Esthetics Institute
318 students · 5.2 mi
D
South University-Columbia
509 students · 10.3 mi
C
Southeastern College-Columbia
249 students · 11.9 mi
C
LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc
30 students · 13.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Elgin, SC?

Elgin, SC rentals go for roughly $1,831/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $302K acquisition costs.

Is Elgin, SC a friendly market for rental owners?

Elgin, SC falls under SC landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Is housing expensive in Elgin, SC?

Elgin, SC home values average about $302K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,831/mo in monthly income.

Is Elgin, SC suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Elgin, SC reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What approach is best for Elgin, SC real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Elgin, SC. The numbers - $302K homes against $1,831/mo rents - support that play.

You know 29045 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 29045 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 29045 ranks in Columbia, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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