Real Estate Investing in Tollesboro, Kentucky (41189)

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

Lewis County • Population: 2,052 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 41189 (Tollesboro, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 16.7% 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 Tollesboro, KY (41189)?

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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 $139,158
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,375
% Renters 23.1%

Market Analysis: 41189 Tollesboro

The 41189 ZIP in Tollesboro, KY is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $139K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 41189 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In practical terms, 41189 offers a low basis, the region around Tollesboro has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 41189 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 41189 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $139K 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 Tollesboro:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/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 41189

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$52,808/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $113,276 $940 6.0% +10.4% $56,638
3BR $158,425 $1,230 5.6% +10.0% $52,808

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$149K$128K$108K$88K$68K$48KJul 2011Jan 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 41189 Compare?

Metric 41189 Tollesboro Kentucky
Home Value $139,158 $139,158 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 6.9%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 41189? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 41189 (Tollesboro, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $139,158
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
16.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 41189

Population: 2,052

💰 Median Household Income
$49,375
This area
$49,375
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.1%
This area
23.1%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.0%
This area
10.0%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.9 years
This area
42.9 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.5%
Other/Mixed 6.4%
Asian 1.1%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.5%
This area
15.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
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

🎓 Schools in 41189

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.9:1 Avg Class Size
$21,302 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Tollesboro Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
275 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,302 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 2,371 Off-Campus Students
C+
Maysville Community and Technical College
4,296 students · 14.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,371 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median home value in Tollesboro, KY is roughly $139K. That puts it reasonable relative to the KY statewide average.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Tollesboro, KY?

Rental vacancy in Tollesboro, KY is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Tollesboro, KY?

Tollesboro, KY operates under KY law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Where do rents currently stand in Tollesboro, KY?

Tollesboro, KY rentals go for roughly $846/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $139K acquisition costs.

What is the renter demographic in Tollesboro, KY?

The tenant pool in Tollesboro, KY is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $846/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 41189 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 41189 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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