Real Estate Investing in Bruceton, Tennessee (38317)

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

Carroll County • Population: 2,554 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38317 (Bruceton, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 21.1% 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 Bruceton, TN (38317)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $146,629
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,675
% Renters 21.6%

Market Analysis: 38317 Bruceton

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Bruceton's 38317 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $147K pricing implies.

From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $147K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 38317 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader TN picture, 38317 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 38317 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 38317 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Bruceton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/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)

$158K$140K$121K$103K$85K$67KMar 2006May 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38317 Compare?

Metric 38317 Bruceton Tennessee
Home Value $146,629 $146,629 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% 7.7%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 38317? 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 38317 (Bruceton, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $146,629
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
21.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38317

Population: 2,554

💰 Median Household Income
$41,675
This area
$41,675
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.7 years
This area
50.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.3%
Other/Mixed 4.7%
Black/African American 4.2%
Asian 1.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.4%
This area
30.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.2%
This area
11.2%
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 38317

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$11,101 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Central High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
351 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,101 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Central Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
296 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,101 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 48 Off-Campus Students
C+
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie
170 students · 13.7 mi
C
Bethel University
2,974 students · 15.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Bruceton, TN?

Bruceton, TN rentals go for roughly $846/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $147K acquisition costs.

Are tenants stable in Bruceton, TN?

Tenant demand in Bruceton, TN is solid. The local workforce $846/mo rents across most rental classes.

What are vacancy rates like in Bruceton, TN?

Expect elevated vacancy in Bruceton, TN. Rents at $846/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Where do home prices stand in Bruceton, TN?

Homes in Bruceton, TN typically sell near $147K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

Is Bruceton, TN a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Bruceton, TN ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $147K and rents of $846/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 38317 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 38317 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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