Real Estate Investing in Essie, Kentucky (40868)

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

Leslie County • Population: 1,457 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40868 (Essie, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 20.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.3% CAGR).
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 18.2% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 33.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Essie, KY (40868)?

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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 $68,630
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $35,714
% Renters 25.6%

Market Analysis: 40868 Essie

Investors scanning Essie, KY for forced-equity plays often land on the 40868 ZIP. A a strong candidate for entry near $69K pairs with rents of $783/mo to widen the renovation window.

In 40868, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. impressive entry prices of $69K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

Across Essie, pockets like 40868 represent the last affordable rungs of a rising ladder. The state-level data shows those rungs thinning.

Residents in 40868 skew younger than the county average, and that matters for rehab positioning. Younger renters respond to finishes, appliances, and in-unit laundry in ways that move rent.

ZIP 40868 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 Essie:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-18.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $783/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$91K$81K$70K$59K$49K$38KFeb 2016Feb 2021Feb 2026

📊 How Does 40868 Compare?

Metric 40868 Essie Kentucky
Home Value $68,630 $81,825 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 0.3% 2.2% 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 -
Cap Rate 8.9% 7.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 40868? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $783/mo on homes averaging $68,630 — 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 40868 (Essie, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.9%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+0.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $68,630
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 7.3:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 13.7%
Cap Rate 8.9%
5-Year IRR 9.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -18.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.9%) 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
20.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40868

Population: 1,457

💰 Median Household Income
$35,714
This area
$35,714
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.6%
This area
25.6%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.0%
This area
20.0%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
32.4%
This area
32.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
33.8%
This area
33.8%
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

Is Essie, KY good for BRRRR investors?

Investors running BRRRR in Essie, KY see a strong outcomes. Deal flow and rehab execution matter more than the macro here.

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

House hacking works an attractive in Essie, KY. Rents of $783/mo against $69K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How expensive is real estate in Essie, KY?

Typical homes in Essie, KY go for around $69K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

Should investors consider Essie, KY?

Investors tracking Essie, KY will find a 4.0/5 rating supported by $69K median home values and $783/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Are rents high in Essie, KY?

Investors in Essie, KY typically see rents near $783/mo per month against $69K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 40868 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40868 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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