Real Estate Investing in Johnston, South Carolina (29832)

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

Edgefield County • Population: 5,375 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29832 (Johnston, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Johnston, SC (29832)?

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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 $158,027
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,437
% Renters 38.0%

Market Analysis: 29832 Johnston

ZIP 29832 inside Edgefield County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $158K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The 29832 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 29832 and stronger Johnston ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Resident income in 29832 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 29832 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $158K 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 Johnston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 29832

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$72,329/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $117,200 $900 5.5% +1.8% $117,200
2BR $270,115 $1,020 2.7% +9.7% $135,058
3BR $216,986 $1,300 4.3% +6.2% $72,329

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$173K$155K$137K$119K$101K$83KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29832 Compare?

Metric 29832 Johnston South Carolina
Home Value $158,027 $158,027 $299,690
5-Year CAGR 1.3% 1.3% 7.3%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 29832? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 29832 (Johnston, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $158,027
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 5.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR 0.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
16.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29832

Population: 5,375

💰 Median Household Income
$45,437
This area
$45,437
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.0%
This area
38.0%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.6%
This area
16.6%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.0 years
This area
43.0 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 48.8%
White 44.5%
Other/Mixed 6.0%
Hispanic/Latino 4.7%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
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 29832

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$21,700 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Johnston Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
245 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,700 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
390 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,700 Per Student
A Very Good

Strom Thurmond High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
776 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,700 Per Student
B Good

Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$21,700 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Johnston, SC?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Johnston, SC. With home values at $158K and rents near $918/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Johnston, SC?

Landlord-friendliness in Johnston, SC is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How tight is the rental market in Johnston, SC?

Vacancy in Johnston, SC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $918/mo.

How strong is the working-renter base in Johnston, SC?

Johnston, SC offers a consistent renter base at the $918/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is real estate in Johnston, SC a good investment right now?

Our data puts Johnston, SC at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $158K and rents around $918/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 29832 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29832 ranks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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