Real Estate Investing in Ethelsville, Alabama (35461)

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

Pickens • Population: 1,947 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35461 (Ethelsville, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 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: 20.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.6% 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 Ethelsville, AL (35461)?

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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 $151,927
Avg Monthly Rent $1,044
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,461
% Renters 4.0%

Market Analysis: 35461 Ethelsville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Ethelsville's 35461 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $152K pricing implies.

The investment case in 35461 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $152K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 35461's metrics run below Pickens's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 35461 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 35461 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $152K 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 Ethelsville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,044/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)

$173K$162K$151K$140K$129K$119KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35461 Compare?

Metric 35461 Ethelsville Alabama
Home Value $151,927 $151,927 $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,044 $1,044 -
Cap Rate 5.4% 5.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 35461? 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 35461 (Ethelsville, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.6%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $151,927
Monthly Rent $1,044
Price-to-Rent 12.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.3%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 3.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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.

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⚠️ 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)
-1.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35461

Population: 1,947

💰 Median Household Income
$60,461
This area
$60,461
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.9 years
This area
48.9 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.3%
Black/African American 27.6%
Other/Mixed 0.1%
👶 Under 18
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 238 Off-Campus Students
C+
Mississippi University for Women
2,227 students · 13.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How should investors approach Ethelsville, AL?

In Ethelsville, AL the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $152K prices and $1,044/mo rents suits that approach.

Are renters plentiful in Ethelsville, AL?

Ethelsville, AL draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $1,044/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Ethelsville, AL?

For rental operators, Ethelsville, AL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Ethelsville, AL?

Vacancy risk in Ethelsville, AL is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does house hacking make sense in Ethelsville, AL?

House hacking in Ethelsville, AL is reasonable to execute. Prices around $152K and rents of $1,044/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

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