Real Estate Investing in Fort Pierce, Florida (34949)

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

St. Lucie • Population: 7,567 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 34949 (Fort Pierce, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 44.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Fort Pierce, FL (34949)?

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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 $411,979
Avg Monthly Rent $2,607
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,068
% Renters 21.3%

Market Analysis: 34949 Fort Pierce

The 34949 ZIP in Fort Pierce, FL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $412K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 34949 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $412K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader FL picture, 34949 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 34949 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 34949 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $412K 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 Fort Pierce:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,607/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 34949

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$183,654/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $200,868 $1,470 5.3% +6.8% $200,868
2BR $367,309 $1,760 3.4% +6.1% $183,654
3BR $674,256 $2,420 2.6% +7.8% $224,752
4BR $1,007,133 $2,580 1.8% +9.3% $251,783

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$528K$450K$373K$295K$218K$140KApr 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,069$2,826$2,583$2,340$2,097$1,853Mar 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 34949 Compare?

Metric 34949 Fort Pierce Florida
Home Value $411,979 $308,526 $374,697
5-Year CAGR 2.3% 5.4% 7.4%
Avg Rent $2,607 $1,930 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 5.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 34949? 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 →
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 34949 (Fort Pierce, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $411,979
Monthly Rent $2,607
Price-to-Rent 13.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -5.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
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
44.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 34949

Population: 7,567

💰 Median Household Income
$83,068
This area
$83,068
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.3%
This area
21.3%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.6%
This area
46.6%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
65.6 years
This area
65.6 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
44.7%
This area
44.7%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.2%
Other/Mixed 5.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.3%
Black/African American 0.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
2.2%
This area
2.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
52.2%
This area
52.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
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 34949

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY OF ST. LUCIE

📚 K – 08 School
📍 1100 DELAWARE AVE, FORT PIERCE
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,649 Per Student
B Good

DAN MCCARTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1201 MISSISSIPPI AVE, FORT PIERCE
👥
711 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,649 Per Student
B Good

FRANCES K. SWEET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1400 AVENUE Q, FORT PIERCE
👥
364 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,649 Per Student
B Good

ST. LUCIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2020 S 13TH ST, FORT PIERCE
👥
662 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,649 Per Student
B Good

DALE CASSENS EDUCATION COMPLEX

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
📍 1905 S 11TH ST, FORT PIERCE
👥
212 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,649 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

4 Nearby 3,821 Off-Campus Students
C+
Fort Pierce Beauty Academy
30 students · 4.0 mi
C
Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology
314 students · 4.1 mi
C+
Indian River State College
15,104 students · 4.5 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie
472 students · 11.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,821 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the renter demographic in Fort Pierce, FL?

Tenant quality in Fort Pierce, FL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $2,607/mo.

How does Fort Pierce, FL stack up for property investment?

Fort Pierce, FL clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $412K and average rents around $2,607/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

Are homes affordable in Fort Pierce, FL?

Fort Pierce, FL median home values land near $412K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,607/mo-per-month rentals.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Fort Pierce, FL?

For rental operators, Fort Pierce, FL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Is house hacking profitable in Fort Pierce, FL?

House hacking works a challenging in Fort Pierce, FL. Rents of $2,607/mo against $412K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 34949 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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