Real Estate Investing in Detroit, Alabama (35552)

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

Marion County • Population: 1,014 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35552 (Detroit, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 21.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Detroit, AL (35552)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $149,157
Avg Monthly Rent $711
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,405
% Renters 14.3%

Market Analysis: 35552 Detroit

ZIP 35552 in Detroit, AL carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $149K and rents of $711/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $149K asset, 35552 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 35552 sits on the difficult end of the AL spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Who lives in 35552 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 35552, 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 Detroit:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $711/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)

$155K$141K$127K$113K$99K$86KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35552 Compare?

Metric 35552 Detroit Alabama
Home Value $149,157 $149,157 $231,003
5-Year CAGR 3.2% 3.2% 5.6%
Avg Rent $711 $711 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 35552? 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 35552 (Detroit, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $149,157
Monthly Rent $711
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
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: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
21.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35552

Population: 1,014

💰 Median Household Income
$63,405
This area
$63,405
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.9%
This area
21.9%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.9 years
This area
33.9 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.2%
This area
21.2%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.8%
Black/African American 12.0%
Other/Mixed 1.3%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.0%
This area
14.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.7%
This area
7.7%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in Detroit, AL?

Rental vacancy in Detroit, AL is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is the tenant base reliable in Detroit, AL?

The renter base in Detroit, AL is reasonable for the $711/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

What is the average home sale price in Detroit, AL?

Typical homes in Detroit, AL go for around $149K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% reliable price movement.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Detroit, AL?

For house hackers, Detroit, AL is a challenging. The $711/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $149K property.

Which real estate strategy fits Detroit, AL?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Detroit, AL. The numbers - $149K homes against $711/mo rents - support that play.

You know 35552 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35552 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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