Real Estate Investing in Dawson, Georgia (39842)

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

Terrell County • Population: 7,780 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 39842 (Dawson, GA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 23.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 28.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $39,907 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Dawson, GA (39842)?

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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 $117,939
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,907
% Renters 46.1%

Market Analysis: 39842 Dawson

ZIP 39842 in Dawson, GA carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $118K and rents of $882/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 39842 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $118K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Dawson have seen price recovery that 39842 has not matched. Terrell County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Looking more closely, 7,780 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.

Strategically, 39842 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Dawson:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Albany, GA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.1%
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 Albany, GA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 39842

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
15.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$22,808/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $45,617 $980 15.5% +6.1% $22,808
3BR $103,050 $1,320 9.2% +6.7% $34,350
4BR $178,671 $1,600 6.4% +6.0% $44,668

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$126K$111K$96K$81K$67K$52KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 39842 Compare?

Metric 39842 Dawson Albany, GA Georgia
Home Value $117,939 $117,939 N/A $329,538
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $882 $882 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.8% 5.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 39842? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 46% 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 39842 (Dawson, GA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Albany, GA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
50%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $117,939
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 11.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.0%
Cap Rate 5.8%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.8%). 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
23.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 39842

Population: 7,780

💰 Median Household Income
$39,907
This area
$39,907
State
$64,001
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.1%
This area
46.1%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-18.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.9%
This area
12.9%
State
-3.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.6 years
This area
39.6 years
State
10.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.1%
This area
23.1%
State
15.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 63.4%
White 32.0%
Other/Mixed 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
Asian 1.4%
👶 Under 18
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
28.2%
This area
28.2%
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 39842

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$18,797 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Terrell High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
279 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,797 Per Student
A Very Good

Terrell Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
231 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,797 Per Student
A Very Good

Cooper-Carver Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
451 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,797 Per Student
C+ Average

Terrell Regional Youth Detention Center

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
2.8:1 Class Size
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 are home prices like in Dawson, GA?

In Dawson, GA the median home value sits at $118K. Against the broader GA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How strong is the working-renter base in Dawson, GA?

Dawson, GA offers a predictable renter base at the $882/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What do rentals go for in Dawson, GA?

Rents in Dawson, GA run near $882/mo. Compared with median home prices of $118K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What strategy should investors use in Dawson, GA?

In Dawson, GA the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $118K prices and $882/mo rents suits that approach.

Is rental property easy to operate in Dawson, GA?

GA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Dawson inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

You know 39842 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 39842 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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How 39842 ranks in Albany, GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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