Real Estate Investing in Phil Campbell, Alabama (35581)

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

Franklin County • Population: 6,271 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35581 (Phil Campbell, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 18.7% 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 Phil Campbell, AL (35581)?

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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 $185,214
Avg Monthly Rent $756
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,025
% Renters 23.2%

Market Analysis: 35581 Phil Campbell

The 35581 ZIP covers a section of Phil Campbell that demands careful diligence. Prices near $185K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $185K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 35581 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 35581 among AL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 35581 ZIP's population of 6,271 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 35581 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Phil Campbell:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $756/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)

$194K$174K$153K$133K$112K$92KJul 2011Jan 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35581 Compare?

Metric 35581 Phil Campbell Alabama
Home Value $185,214 $185,214 $231,003
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 5.6%
Avg Rent $756 $756 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 35581? 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 35581 (Phil Campbell, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $185,214
Monthly Rent $756
Price-to-Rent 20.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
18.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35581

Population: 6,271

💰 Median Household Income
$48,025
This area
$48,025
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.2 years
This area
41.2 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.7%
This area
18.7%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.7%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.7%
This area
9.7%
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 35581

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,043 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Phil Campbell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
450 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Phil Campbell High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 Per Student
B+ Above Average

East Franklin Junior High School

📚 Pre-K – 09 High School
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What approach is best for Phil Campbell, AL real estate?

The best-fit strategy in Phil Campbell, AL is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is Phil Campbell, AL landlord-friendly?

AL ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Phil Campbell generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is Phil Campbell, AL a smart market for rental property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Phil Campbell, AL ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $185K and rents of $756/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What is the renter demographic in Phil Campbell, AL?

Tenant quality in Phil Campbell, AL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $756/mo.

Is vacancy a concern in Phil Campbell, AL?

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

You know 35581 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35581 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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