Real Estate Investing in Lake Butler, Florida (32054)

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

Union County • Population: 12,467 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 32054 (Lake Butler, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Lake Butler, FL (32054)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $277,302
Avg Monthly Rent $954
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,893
% Renters 27.4%

Market Analysis: 32054 Lake Butler

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Lake Butler's 32054 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $277K pricing implies.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $277K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 32054 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Lake Butler have seen price recovery that 32054 has not matched. Union County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 32054 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 32054 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Lake Butler:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $954/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$298K$256K$215K$173K$132K$90KAug 2009Feb 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 32054 Compare?

Metric 32054 Lake Butler Florida
Home Value $277,302 $277,302 $374,697
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% 7.4%
Avg Rent $954 $954 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 32054? 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 32054 (Lake Butler, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $277,302
Monthly Rent $954
Price-to-Rent 24.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
10.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 32054

Population: 12,467

💰 Median Household Income
$65,893
This area
$65,893
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.4%
This area
27.4%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.5 years
This area
39.5 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.6%
Black/African American 14.0%
Other/Mixed 8.3%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.3%
This area
9.3%
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 32054

C+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$10,466 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

LAKE BUTLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
727 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$10,466 Per Student
B Good

UNION COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$10,466 Per Student
C Below Average

LAKE BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
1,028 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,466 Per Student
C Below Average

UNION COUNTY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$10,466 Per Student
C Below Average

UNION VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$10,466 Per Student
C Below Average
💰
$10,466 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 1,078 Off-Campus Students
C+
Florida Gateway College
2,837 students · 14.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,078 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Lake Butler, FL?

Homes in Lake Butler, FL typically sell near $277K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

Are tenants stable in Lake Butler, FL?

Tenant demand in Lake Butler, FL is solid. The local workforce $954/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is it like being a landlord in Lake Butler, FL?

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

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Lake Butler, FL?

Lake Butler, FL offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $954/mo rent level.

How strong are rents in Lake Butler, FL?

Lake Butler, FL rentals go for roughly $954/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $277K acquisition costs.

You know 32054 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 32054 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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