Real Estate Investing in Phelps, Kentucky (41553)

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

Pike County • Population: 2,324 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 41553 (Phelps, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

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
4 flags
  • Declining values: -0.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 6.1% in the last year.
  • Higher unemployment: 10.1% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

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

What’s happening in Phelps, KY (41553)?

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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 $71,778
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $45,956
% Renters 2.8%

Market Analysis: 41553 Phelps

Investors scanning Phelps, KY for forced-equity plays often land on the 41553 ZIP. A a viable market for entry near $72K pairs with rents of $882/mo to widen the renovation window.

Cap rate math of 0.0% understates the return here. Post-rehab, stabilized yields climb, and the 41553 ZIP's older housing stock gives operators the opportunity set to execute.

Across Phelps, pockets like 41553 represent the last affordable rungs of a rising ladder. The state-level data shows those rungs thinning.

The resident base in 41553 runs younger and more tenure-renter than county averages. 3% of 2,324 households lease, which is the demand source for post-rehab rent lifts.

ZIP 41553 fits investors who can swing a hammer — or pay someone to swing one well. BRRRR, fix-and-flip, and fix-and-hold all work when the rehab scope is matched to the rent lift.

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 Phelps:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-6.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/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 41553

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
11.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$31,916/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $63,831 $980 11.1% +6.4% $31,916
3BR $100,466 $1,180 8.5% +4.6% $33,489

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$88K$80K$73K$65K$58K$50KJan 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 41553 Compare?

Metric 41553 Phelps Kentucky
Home Value $71,778 $71,778 $225,788
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $882 $882 -
Cap Rate 9.6% 9.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 41553? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $882/mo on homes averaging $71,778 — 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 41553 (Phelps, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
9.6%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-0.9%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $71,778
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 6.8:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 14.8%
Cap Rate 9.6%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -6.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.9% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 9.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (9.6%) 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 41553

Population: 2,324

💰 Median Household Income
$45,956
This area
$45,956
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.7 years
This area
39.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.6%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
31.9%
This area
31.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.9%
This area
17.9%
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 41553

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
16.8:1 Avg Class Size
$14,759 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Phelps High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
252 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,759 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

3 Nearby 8 Off-Campus Students
C
Appalachian Beauty School
43 students · 11.5 mi
B
Mingo Extended Learning Center
13 students · 13.6 mi
C
Appalachian School of Law
140 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do landlords charge for rent in Phelps, KY?

Average rent in Phelps, KY is approximately $882/mo per month. Against $72K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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

Median home price in Phelps, KY is near $72K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How should investors approach Phelps, KY?

The best-fit strategy in Phelps, KY is value-add and BRRRR deals. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Does house hacking work in Phelps, KY?

House hacking in Phelps, KY is an attractive. With home values around $72K and rents at $882/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is Phelps, KY a good place for real estate investing?

Phelps, KY rates 4.0/5 for investability. With median values at $72K and rents near $882/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 41553 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 41553 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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