Real Estate Investing in Hartsville, South Carolina (29550)

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

Darlington County • Population: 30,198 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29550 (Hartsville, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 15.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Hartsville, SC (29550)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $184,967
Avg Monthly Rent $1,184
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,525
% Renters 27.3%

Market Analysis: 29550 Hartsville

Investors eyeing 29550 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $185K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 29550 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $185K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 29550's metrics run below Darlington County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 29550 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 29550 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Hartsville:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,184/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
Florence, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
66 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.0%
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 Florence, SC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 29550

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$44,679/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $89,358 $1,090 8.8% +4.3% $44,679
3BR $187,064 $1,310 5.0% +5.9% $62,355
4BR $313,273 $1,490 3.4% +7.1% $78,318
5BR $400,098 +7.2% $80,020

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$192K$173K$155K$137K$118K$100KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,192$1,168$1,145$1,121$1,097$1,073Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29550 Compare?

Metric 29550 Hartsville Florence, SC South Carolina
Home Value $184,967 $184,967 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.0% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,184 $1,184 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29550? 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 29550 (Hartsville, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Florence, SC metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $184,967
Monthly Rent $1,184
Price-to-Rent 13.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
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
15.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29550

Population: 30,198

💰 Median Household Income
$52,525
This area
$52,525
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.2%
This area
24.2%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.1 years
This area
40.1 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.1%
This area
15.1%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.7%
Black/African American 29.5%
Other/Mixed 4.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
24.1%
This area
24.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.3%
This area
17.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.2%
This area
16.2%
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 29550

A Avg School Grade
9 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$18,461 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Southside Early Childhood Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
327 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Butler Academy

📚 K – 07 School Charter
👥
350 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,770 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Carolina Elementary

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
213 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bay Road Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Hartsville Elementary

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A Very Good

Thornwell School for the Arts

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A Very Good

Hartsville Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
872 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
A Very Good

Hartsville High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,125 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,417 Per Student
C+ Average

SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

📚 11 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
275 Students
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

1 Nearby
D
Coker University
1,263 students · 1.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hartsville, SC favor landlords or tenants?

Hartsville, SC operates under SC law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Hartsville, SC?

Occupancy in Hartsville, SC runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,184/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the median home value in Hartsville, SC?

Typical homes in Hartsville, SC go for around $185K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Hartsville, SC?

Hartsville, SC offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,184/mo rent level.

How deep is the rental pool in Hartsville, SC?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Hartsville, SC. The rental market absorbs $1,184/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 29550 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29550 ranks in Florence, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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