Real Estate Investing in Palatka, Florida (32177)

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

Putnam County • Population: 26,046 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 32177 (Palatka, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (55/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Palatka, FL (32177)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $209,979
Avg Monthly Rent $1,381
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,455
% Renters 36.3%

Market Analysis: 32177 Palatka

On balance, ZIP 32177 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $210K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 32177 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $210K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 32177's metrics run below Putnam County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 32177 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 32177, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Palatka:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,381/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Palatka, FL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.0%
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 Palatka, FL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 32177

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$65,321/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $130,642 $1,200 6.6% +10.9% $65,321
3BR $222,990 $1,510 4.9% +9.3% $74,330
4BR $299,375 $1,590 3.8% +8.7% $74,844

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$222K$192K$161K$131K$100K$70KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,692$1,612$1,533$1,453$1,373$1,293Dec 2024Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 32177 Compare?

Metric 32177 Palatka Palatka, FL Florida
Home Value $209,979 $209,979 N/A $374,697
5-Year CAGR 3.4% 3.4% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,381 $1,381 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.1% 5.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 32177? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% 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 32177 (Palatka, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Palatka, FL metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
3/3
80%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $209,979
Monthly Rent $1,381
Price-to-Rent 12.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.9%
Cap Rate 5.1%
5-Year IRR 8.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -18.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.1%). 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
9.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 32177

Population: 26,046

💰 Median Household Income
$45,455
This area
$45,455
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.3%
This area
36.3%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.9%
This area
11.9%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.5 years
This area
41.5 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.7%
This area
9.7%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.6%
Black/African American 25.9%
Other/Mixed 5.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
23.4%
This area
23.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.7%
This area
15.7%
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 32177

C+ Avg School Grade
11 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$11,866 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 06 School
👥
542 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
B Good
👥
585 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
B Good

PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
37 Students
👨‍🏫
0.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
B Good

KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 06 School
👥
752 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C+ Average

PALATKA JR - SR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
1,606 Students
👨‍🏫
21.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C+ Average

PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
195 Students
👨‍🏫
21.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C+ Average

PUTNAM VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

📚 K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C+ Average

PUTNAM VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED)

📚 K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C+ Average

TEEN PARENT PK CHILD CARE PROGRAM

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C Below Average

THE CHILDREN'S READING CENTER

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
260 Students
👨‍🏫
23.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 Per Student
C Below Average

MELLON LEARNING CENTER

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
291 Students
👨‍🏫
22.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,866 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 2,254 Off-Campus Students
C+
Saint Johns River State College
7,066 students · 3.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,254 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Palatka, FL a good place for real estate investing?

Palatka, FL stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $210K and average rents around $1,381/mo. That combination puts it in the significant tier for investor interest.

How much do tenants pay in Palatka, FL?

Rent in Palatka, FL is around $1,381/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $210K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How tight is the rental market in Palatka, FL?

Vacancy risk in Palatka, FL is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Palatka, FL?

Palatka, FL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($210K prices, $1,381/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is Palatka, FL a friendly market for rental owners?

Palatka, FL falls under FL landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

You know 32177 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 32177 ranks in Palatka, FL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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