Real Estate Investing in Union Springs, Alabama (36089)

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

Bullock County • Population: 7,401 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36089 (Union Springs, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

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
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 24.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 11.4% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 31.0% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Union Springs, AL (36089)?

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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 $124,831
Avg Monthly Rent $711
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $29,275
% Renters 39.3%

Market Analysis: 36089 Union Springs

The 36089 ZIP covers a section of Union Springs that demands careful diligence. Prices near $125K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 36089 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 36089's metrics run below Bullock County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 36089 ZIP's population of 7,401 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 36089 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Union Springs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-11.4%)
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: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$159K$144K$128K$113K$97K$82KApr 2015Dec 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36089 Compare?

Metric 36089 Union Springs Alabama
Home Value $124,831 $124,831 $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $711 $711 -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 36089? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% 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 36089 (Union Springs, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $124,831
Monthly Rent $711
Price-to-Rent 14.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 3.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -11.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
24.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36089

Population: 7,401

💰 Median Household Income
$29,275
This area
$29,275
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.3%
This area
39.3%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.9 years
This area
38.9 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 70.6%
White 19.6%
Other/Mixed 9.2%
Hispanic/Latino 8.9%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
31.0%
This area
31.0%
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 36089

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
18.4:1 Avg Class Size
$15,496 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

South Highlands Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
383 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,496 Per Student
B Good

Bullock County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
447 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,496 Per Student
B Good

Union Springs Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
537 Students
👨‍🏫
19.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,496 Per Student
C+ Average

Bullock County Career Technical Center

📚 08 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$15,496 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 is the median home value in Union Springs, AL?

Union Springs, AL median home values land near $125K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $711/mo-per-month rentals.

What is the renter demographic in Union Springs, AL?

Tenant demand in Union Springs, AL is solid. The local workforce $711/mo rents across most rental classes.

Does Union Springs, AL favor landlords or tenants?

Union Springs, AL falls under AL landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What does house hacking look like in Union Springs, AL?

House hacking in Union Springs, AL is reasonable to execute. Prices around $125K and rents of $711/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What are vacancy rates like in Union Springs, AL?

Union Springs, AL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $711/mo.

You know 36089 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36089 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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