Real Estate Investing in Macon, Georgia (31217)

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

Bibb County • Population: 16,923 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 31217 (Macon, GA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

A balanced market — moderate cash flow and moderate appreciation. A "steady" investor profile fits best.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 20.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 25.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Macon, GA (31217)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $98,001
Avg Monthly Rent $1,215
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $41,145
% Renters 31.0%

Market Analysis: 31217 Macon

The 31217 ZIP reports an durable value-add profile — below-median pricing at $98K, a renter base of 31%, and room for operational improvement.

Investors in 31217 do not buy the market average — they buy the unit they can improve. $98K median pricing and $1,215/mo comps define the envelope within which the work has to pay.

Statewide, GA value-add investors migrate toward ZIPs with 31217's profile — older stock, soft but real rent growth, and $98K pricing that keeps rehab math workable.

Turning to rents, incomes in 31217 sit below the county median, the tenant pool is deep and the demand for upgraded rental stock consistently outruns supply.

Strategic fit here is operational. Pro forma discipline, capex reserves, and lender relationships matter more than the marketing pitch.

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 Macon:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 83/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,215/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Macon-Bibb County, GA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
81 days
Average time to sell
Slow
7.3%
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 Macon-Bibb County, GA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 31217

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
15.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$26,387/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $52,774 $1,150 15.7% +11.6% $26,387
3BR $96,513 $1,380 10.3% +10.3% $32,171
4BR $158,483 $1,520 6.9% +8.4% $39,621
5BR $188,039 +7.2% $37,608

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$110K$95K$79K$64K$49K$34KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,390$1,316$1,242$1,167$1,093$1,019Jul 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 31217 Compare?

Metric 31217 Macon Macon-Bibb County, GA Georgia
Home Value $98,001 $137,669 N/A $329,538
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 5.0% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,215 $1,269 N/A -
Cap Rate 9.7% 6.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 31217? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,215/mo on homes averaging $98,001 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 31217 (Macon, GA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
9.7%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $98,001
Monthly Rent $1,215
Price-to-Rent 6.7:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 14.9%
Cap Rate 9.7%
5-Year IRR 14.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 9.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (9.7%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
20.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 31217

Population: 16,923

💰 Median Household Income
$41,145
This area
$41,145
State
$64,001
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.0%
This area
31.0%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-18.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
-3.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
10.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
15.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 54.2%
White 40.2%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.6%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
25.1%
This area
25.1%
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 31217

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
9.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,956 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Bernd Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
408 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,811 Per Student
A Very Good

Burdell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
431 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,811 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mattie Wells Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,245 Per Student
C+ Average

Macon Regional Youth Detention Center

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
5.3:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Macon Youth Development Campus

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
19 Students
👨‍🏫
3.8:1 Class Size
C Below Average

Department of Juvenile Justice Bibb ETC

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

5 Nearby 1,076 Off-Campus Students
C+
Mercer University
9,124 students · 8.4 mi
D
Miller-Motte College-Macon
206 students · 11.1 mi
D
Webb's Barber School of Arts
18 students · 12.0 mi
C+
Wesleyan College
641 students · 12.4 mi
C
Middle Georgia State University
8,033 students · 13.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,076 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Macon, GA rate as a rental market?

Yes - Macon, GA a 5.0/5 investability score. With $98K home prices against $1,215/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is Macon, GA good for house hacking?

House hacking works an attractive in Macon, GA. Rents of $1,215/mo against $98K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Macon, GA?

Investors usually favor value-add and BRRRR deals in Macon, GA. With home values at $98K and rents near $1,215/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

Can you recycle capital via BRRRR in Macon, GA?

Macon, GA is a strong for BRRRR. Acquiring below market, rehabbing, and leasing at $1,215/mo produces solid refinance appraisals against $98K values.

Where do rents currently stand in Macon, GA?

Rents in Macon, GA run near $1,215/mo. Compared with median home prices of $98K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

You know 31217 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 31217 ranks in Macon-Bibb County, GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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