Real Estate Investing in Pathfork, Kentucky (40856)

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

Bell County • Population: 827 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40856 (Pathfork, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 18.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -5.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 18.0% in the last year.

• 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 Pathfork, KY (40856)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $73,882
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $44,706
% Renters 22.9%

Market Analysis: 40856 Pathfork

Within Bell County, the 40856 ZIP posts a lower entry point around $74K. On the rental side, operators who can improve stock here typically see outsized uplift.

In 40856, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. impressive entry prices of $74K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

Comparing Pathfork submarkets, ZIP 40856 offers an entry cost that most surrounding neighborhoods have moved past. The notable delta is the opportunity.

From a cash-flow lens, incomes in 40856 sit below the county median, the tenant pool is deep and the demand for upgraded rental stock consistently outruns supply.

BRRRR is the most natural fit. Buy under $74K, rehab, refinance, and the capital recycles in a way turnkey markets cannot replicate.

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 Pathfork:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-18.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Middlesborough, KY Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.8%
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 Middlesborough, KY metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$114K$105K$97K$88K$79K$71KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40856 Compare?

Metric 40856 Pathfork Middlesborough, KY Kentucky
Home Value $73,882 $71,804 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR N/A 0.0% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $792 $806 N/A -
Cap Rate 8.4% 8.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 40856? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $792/mo on homes averaging $73,882 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 40856 (Pathfork, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.4%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-5.0%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Middlesborough, KY metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $73,882
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 7.8:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.9%
Cap Rate 8.4%
5-Year IRR 3.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -18.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR -5.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR -2.1% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.4%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
18.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-5.0%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40856

Population: 827

💰 Median Household Income
$44,706
This area
$44,706
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.9%
This area
22.9%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.3%
Other/Mixed 0.7%
👶 Under 18
32.3%
This area
32.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.3%
This area
16.3%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby
C
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
159 students · 11.1 mi
C+
Lincoln Memorial University
5,805 students · 11.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Pathfork, KY?

Expect median prices around $74K in Pathfork, KY. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Is the 1% rule achievable in Pathfork, KY?

With rents of $792/mo on $74K homes, Pathfork, KY close to the 1% rule for most properties. The actual rent-to-price ratio is 1.07%.

What are rental rates like in Pathfork, KY?

Expect rents around $792/mo per month in Pathfork, KY. With home values at $74K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Pathfork, KY?

House hacking in Pathfork, KY is reasonable to execute. Prices around $74K and rents of $792/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What approach is best for Pathfork, KY real estate?

Most investors in Pathfork, KY run a value-add and BRRRR deals strategy. It aligns with the 4.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 40856 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 40856 ranks in Middlesborough, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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