Real Estate Investing in Rockwood, Tennessee (37854)

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

Roane County • Population: 12,403 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 37854 (Rockwood, TN)? 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: 19.1% 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 Rockwood, TN (37854)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $235,265
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,386
% Renters 29.2%

Market Analysis: 37854 Rockwood

Investors eyeing 37854 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $235K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 37854 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 37854's metrics run below Roane County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 37854 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 37854 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Rockwood:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Knoxville, TN Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
54 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Knoxville, TN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 37854

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$85,198/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $170,396 $1,040 4.4% +11.3% $85,198
3BR $259,697 $1,370 3.8% +11.1% $86,566
4BR $358,231 $1,690 3.4% +9.9% $89,558

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$249K$215K$181K$147K$113K$80KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 37854 Compare?

Metric 37854 Rockwood Knoxville, TN Tennessee
Home Value $235,265 $235,265 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.4% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $936 $936 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 37854? 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 37854 (Rockwood, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Knoxville, TN metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
59%
Days Pending
1/2
54 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $235,265
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 21.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 8.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
19.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 37854

Population: 12,403

💰 Median Household Income
$52,386
This area
$52,386
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.5%
This area
13.5%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.0 years
This area
48.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.1%
This area
19.1%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.6%
Other/Mixed 4.7%
Asian 2.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.1%
This area
14.1%
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 37854

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$12,161 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Rockwood Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,876 Per Student
B Good

Ridge View Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
604 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,876 Per Student
B Good

Rockwood High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
342 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,876 Per Student
B Good

Pine View Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
169 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$10,016 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

2 Nearby 2,397 Off-Campus Students
C
Roane State Community College
4,822 students · 5.3 mi
C+
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman
719 students · 12.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,397 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Rockwood, TN?

Median home price in Rockwood, TN is near $235K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is Rockwood, TN a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Rockwood, TN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $235K home prices against $936/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Rockwood, TN?

Tenant demand in Rockwood, TN is solid. The local workforce $936/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Rockwood, TN?

Occupancy in Rockwood, TN runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $936/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is rental property easy to operate in Rockwood, TN?

The landlord environment in Rockwood, TN is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 37854 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 37854 ranks in Knoxville, TN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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