Real Estate Investing in Morehead, Kentucky (40351)

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

Rowan County • Population: 22,338 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40351 (Morehead, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

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: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Morehead, KY (40351)?

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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 $193,875
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,339
% Renters 39.0%

Market Analysis: 40351 Morehead

ZIP 40351 inside Rowan County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $194K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 40351 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $194K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 40351's metrics run below Rowan County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 40351 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 40351 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 Morehead:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 40351

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$61,870/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $148,606 $890 4.3% +10.5% $74,303
3BR $205,139 $1,130 4.0% +9.4% $68,380
4BR $272,638 $1,480 3.9% +9.1% $68,159
5BR $309,352 +9.1% $61,870

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$202K$178K$153K$128K$103K$78KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,167$1,122$1,078$1,033$989$944Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40351 Compare?

Metric 40351 Morehead Kentucky
Home Value $193,875 $193,875 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% 6.9%
Avg Rent $981 $981 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 40351? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% 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 40351 (Morehead, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 40351 (Morehead, KY)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $193,875
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 16.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40351

Population: 22,338

💰 Median Household Income
$49,339
This area
$49,339
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.0%
This area
39.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.4%
This area
27.4%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.8 years
This area
29.8 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.3%
Black/African American 2.1%
Other/Mixed 1.7%
Asian 0.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.6%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.5%
This area
16.5%
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 40351

C+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,903 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Rodburn Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Tilden Hogge Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
222 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
B Good

McBrayer Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
B Good

Rowan County Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
677 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
C+ Average

Bluegrass Discovery Academy High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
13 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
C+ Average

Bluegrass Discovery Academy Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
8.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
C+ Average

Morehead Youth Development Center

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
13 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
C+ Average

Rowan County Preschool Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
158 Students
👨‍🏫
19.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 Per Student
C+ Average

Rowan County Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,019 Students
👨‍🏫
21.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,903 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

1 Nearby 827 Off-Campus Students
C+
Morehead State University
8,618 students · 1.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 827 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Morehead, KY?

The typical rental in Morehead, KY commands about $981/mo monthly. That rent profile reliable cash flow against the $194K purchase basis.

How should investors approach Morehead, KY?

Most investors in Morehead, KY run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Morehead, KY?

Morehead, KY sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader KY rental market.

How landlord-friendly is Morehead, KY?

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

Is Morehead, KY a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Morehead, KY reflects its $194K prices and $981/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within KY.

You know 40351 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40351 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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