Real Estate Investing in Lugoff, South Carolina (29078)

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

Kershaw County • Population: 16,370 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29078 (Lugoff, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Lugoff, SC (29078)?

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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 $264,265
Avg Monthly Rent $1,959
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,574
% Renters 12.4%

Market Analysis: 29078 Lugoff

ZIP 29078 in Lugoff, SC carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $264K and rents of $1,959/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 29078 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $264K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 29078'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.

Demographically, 29078 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 29078, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Lugoff:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,959/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 29078

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$80,072/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $240,329 $1,500 4.5% +8.0% $80,110
4BR $320,290 $1,800 4.0% +7.0% $80,072

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$275K$243K$212K$180K$148K$116KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 29078 Compare?

Metric 29078 Lugoff Columbia, SC South Carolina
Home Value $264,265 $264,265 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,959 $1,959 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.8% 5.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29078? 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 29078 (Lugoff, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.5%
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 $264,265
Monthly Rent $1,959
Price-to-Rent 11.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.9%
Cap Rate 5.8%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.8%). 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
8.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29078

Population: 16,370

💰 Median Household Income
$60,574
This area
$60,574
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.8%
This area
20.8%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.1 years
This area
41.1 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.1%
Black/African American 15.0%
Other/Mixed 7.4%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.5%
This area
11.5%
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

🎓 Schools in 29078

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$16,649 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Lugoff Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
517 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 Per Student
A Very Good

Lugoff-Elgin Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
652 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Doby's Mill Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
605 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wateree Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
705 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,649 Per Student
C+ Average

Lugoff-Elgin High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,773 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 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

2 Nearby
C
LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc
30 students · 8.1 mi
C
Southeastern Esthetics Institute
318 students · 9.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Lugoff, SC?

Lugoff, SC rentals go for roughly $1,959/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $264K acquisition costs.

What is the average home sale price in Lugoff, SC?

Median home price in Lugoff, SC is near $264K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How tight is the rental market in Lugoff, SC?

Lugoff, SC vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Lugoff, SC?

Working renters make up the core of the Lugoff, SC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Lugoff, SC?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Lugoff, SC best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $264K price point.

You know 29078 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29078 ranks in Columbia, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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