Real Estate Investing in Carthage, Mississippi (39051)

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

Leake County • Population: 15,242 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 39051 (Carthage, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 18.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.6% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Carthage, MS (39051)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $156,376
Avg Monthly Rent $855
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,647
% Renters 22.1%

Market Analysis: 39051 Carthage

ZIP 39051 inside Leake County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $156K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 39051 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $156K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader MS picture, 39051 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 39051 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 39051 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 Carthage:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $855/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)

$172K$158K$143K$129K$115K$100KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 39051 Compare?

Metric 39051 Carthage Mississippi
Home Value $156,376 $156,376 $186,446
5-Year CAGR 0.6% 0.6% 4.0%
Avg Rent $855 $855 -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 39051? Click to expand

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

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 39051 (Carthage, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 39051 (Carthage, MS)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+0.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $156,376
Monthly Rent $855
Price-to-Rent 15.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 4.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
18.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 39051

Population: 15,242

💰 Median Household Income
$41,647
This area
$41,647
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.1%
This area
22.1%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.4 years
This area
41.4 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.5%
This area
18.5%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 47.9%
Black/African American 40.5%
Other/Mixed 11.2%
Hispanic/Latino 6.2%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.9%
This area
17.9%
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 39051

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
11.8:1 Avg Class Size
$11,255 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
383 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,255 Per Student
B+ Above Average

LEAKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
862 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,255 Per Student
B Good

LEAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
602 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,255 Per Student
B Good

Red Water Elementary School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
132 Students
👨‍🏫
6.9:1 Class Size
B Good

Standing Pine Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
123 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
C+ Average

LEAKE CO CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$11,255 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

Which investment style suits Carthage, MS?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Carthage, MS. With home values at $156K and rents near $855/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

What kind of tenants rent in Carthage, MS?

Tenant quality in Carthage, MS ranks as solid. Landlords generally report stable occupancy at market rents of $855/mo.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Carthage, MS?

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

Is Carthage, MS a good market for FHA house hackers?

Carthage, MS offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $855/mo rent level.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Carthage, MS?

Typical homes in Carthage, MS go for around $156K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

You know 39051 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 39051 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 39051 (Carthage)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 39051 (Carthage, MS).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.