Real Estate Investing in Barnwell, South Carolina (29812)

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

Barnwell County • Population: 10,965 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29812 (Barnwell, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (44/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.9% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Barnwell, SC (29812)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $175,437
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $42,038
% Renters 25.6%

Market Analysis: 29812 Barnwell

Investors eyeing 29812 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $175K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 29812 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $175K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 29812 and stronger Barnwell ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 29812 ZIP's population of 10,965 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 29812 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 Barnwell:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$190K$170K$151K$131K$111K$91KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29812 Compare?

Metric 29812 Barnwell South Carolina
Home Value $175,437 $175,437 $299,690
5-Year CAGR 0.9% 0.9% 7.3%
Avg Rent $810 $810 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29812 (Barnwell, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $175,437
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 18.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 4.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
14.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29812

Population: 10,965

💰 Median Household Income
$42,038
This area
$42,038
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.6%
This area
25.6%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.5%
This area
17.5%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.7 years
This area
39.7 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.0%
Black/African American 40.6%
Other/Mixed 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
19.1%
This area
19.1%
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 29812

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,948 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Barnwell High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
562 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
A Very Good

Barnwell Primary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
651 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Barnwell Elementary

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Guinyard-Butler Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 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

1 Nearby 599 Off-Campus Students
D
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie
809 students · 14.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 599 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Barnwell, SC?

Median home price in Barnwell, SC is near $175K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Where do rents currently stand in Barnwell, SC?

The typical rental in Barnwell, SC commands about $810/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $175K purchase basis.

What is the tenant pool like in Barnwell, SC?

The tenant pool in Barnwell, SC is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $810/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What does house hacking look like in Barnwell, SC?

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

Does Barnwell, SC favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Barnwell, SC deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 29812 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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