Real Estate Investing in Williston, South Carolina (29853)

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

Barnwell County • Population: 6,011 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29853 (Williston, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

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: 15.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.5% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

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

What’s happening in Williston, SC (29853)?

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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 $137,816
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,934
% Renters 29.5%

Market Analysis: 29853 Williston

This part of Barnwell County is not an easy win. The 29853 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $138K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 29853 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 29853 sits on the difficult end of the SC spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 29853 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.

The right play in 29853 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 Williston:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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)

$167K$150K$133K$116K$99K$82KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29853 Compare?

Metric 29853 Williston South Carolina
Home Value $137,816 $137,816 $299,690
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 29853? 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 29853 (Williston, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
-2.5%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $137,816
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 13.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 2.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.5% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
15.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.5%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29853

Population: 6,011

💰 Median Household Income
$43,934
This area
$43,934
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.5%
This area
29.5%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.2 years
This area
41.2 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 58.3%
Black/African American 39.8%
Other/Mixed 1.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.1%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.5%
This area
14.5%
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 29853

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Kelly Edwards Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
B Good

Williston-Elko High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
198 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
B Good

Williston-Elko Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
158 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
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

Is Williston in SC worth investing in?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Williston, SC ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $138K and rents of $873/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How much is rent in Williston, SC?

The typical rental in Williston, SC commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $138K purchase basis.

Are tenants stable in Williston, SC?

Tenant demand in Williston, SC is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.

How expensive is real estate in Williston, SC?

Expect median prices around $138K in Williston, SC. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Which real estate strategy fits Williston, SC?

In Williston, SC the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $138K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 29853 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29853 ranks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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