Real Estate Investing in Cranks, Kentucky (40820)

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

Harlan County • Population: 55 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40820 (Cranks, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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: 16.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Cranks, KY (40820)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $93,502
Avg Monthly Rent $855
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 0.0%

Market Analysis: 40820 Cranks

Looking more closely, ZIP 40820 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $94K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 40820 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 40820's metrics run below Harlan County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 40820 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 40820 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $94K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Cranks:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.2%)
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)

$103K$94K$85K$77K$68K$59KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40820 Compare?

Metric 40820 Cranks Kentucky
Home Value $93,502 $93,502 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% 6.9%
Avg Rent $855 $855 -
Cap Rate 7.1% 7.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 40820? 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 40820 (Cranks, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.1%
Good
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $93,502
Monthly Rent $855
Price-to-Rent 9.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.0%
Cap Rate 7.1%
5-Year IRR 10.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.1%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
16.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40820

Population: 55

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.5 years
This area
54.5 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.0%
This area
30.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.2%
This area
9.2%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Cranks, KY?

Cranks, KY home values average about $94K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $855/mo in monthly income.

Does Cranks, KY favor landlords or tenants?

Cranks, KY falls under KY landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How strong is the working-renter base in Cranks, KY?

Tenant quality in Cranks, KY ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $855/mo.

Is Cranks, KY better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Cranks, KY. The numbers - $94K homes against $855/mo rents - support that play.

How viable is house hacking in Cranks, KY?

Cranks, KY is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $94K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 40820 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40820 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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