Real Estate Investing in Forest, Mississippi (39074)

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

Scott County • Population: 14,423 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 39074 (Forest, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.8% 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 Forest, MS (39074)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $128,053
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,555
% Renters 30.6%

Market Analysis: 39074 Forest

The 39074 ZIP in Forest, MS is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $128K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The 39074 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Statewide comparisons place 39074 among MS's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

In practical terms, 14,423 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The right play in 39074 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 Forest:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/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)

$133K$120K$106K$92K$79K$65KDec 2011Apr 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 39074 Compare?

Metric 39074 Forest Mississippi
Home Value $128,053 $128,053 $186,446
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 3.0% 4.0%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 5.3% 5.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 39074? 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 39074 (Forest, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $128,053
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 12.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.1%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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
18.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 39074

Population: 14,423

💰 Median Household Income
$44,555
This area
$44,555
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.6%
This area
30.6%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.0 years
This area
37.0 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 53.5%
Black/African American 38.5%
Other/Mixed 7.8%
Hispanic/Latino 6.5%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.7%
This area
18.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.1%
This area
17.1%
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 39074

C+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$10,702 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
726 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$10,759 Per Student
B Good

HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
451 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$10,759 Per Student
B Good

SCOTT CENTRAL ATTENDANCE CENTER

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
871 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$10,617 Per Student
B Good

FOREST HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$10,759 Per Student
C Below Average

FOREST SCOTT CO VOC TECH CENTER

📚 10 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$10,617 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 type of investing works in Forest, MS?

For Forest, MS, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Forest, MS?

Forest, MS carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $864/mo.

Where do rents currently stand in Forest, MS?

Rents in Forest, MS run near $864/mo. Compared with median home prices of $128K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How viable is house hacking in Forest, MS?

House hacking works a challenging in Forest, MS. Rents of $864/mo against $128K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the average home sale price in Forest, MS?

Median home price in Forest, MS is near $128K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

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