Real Estate Investing in Whitesburg, Kentucky (41858)

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

Letcher County • Population: 7,958 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 41858 (Whitesburg, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 8.5% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 28.8% 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 Whitesburg, KY (41858)?

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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 $92,604
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $40,038
% Renters 30.0%

Market Analysis: 41858 Whitesburg

The 41858 ZIP covers a section of Whitesburg that demands careful diligence. Prices near $93K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $783/mo on a $93K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 41858 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 41858 sits on the difficult end of the KY spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A robust renter share of 30% in 41858 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 41858 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Whitesburg:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-8.5%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 41858

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$41,103/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $88,342 $870 7.1% +10.5% $44,171
3BR $127,146 $1,170 6.6% +8.6% $42,382
4BR $164,412 $1,320 5.8% +7.7% $41,103

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$109K$98K$88K$77K$67K$57KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 41858 Compare?

Metric 41858 Whitesburg Kentucky
Home Value $92,604 $81,013 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 2.7% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 -
Cap Rate 6.6% 7.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 41858? 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 41858 (Whitesburg, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.6%
Good
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $92,604
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 9.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.2%
Cap Rate 6.6%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -8.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.6%). 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
14.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 41858

Population: 7,958

💰 Median Household Income
$40,038
This area
$40,038
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.0%
This area
30.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.8%
This area
14.8%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.3 years
This area
41.3 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.1%
Asian 0.5%
Other/Mixed 0.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.1%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
23.2%
This area
23.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
28.8%
This area
28.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 41858

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,959 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Letcher County Central High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
706 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
A Very Good

West Whitesburg Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
433 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Cowan Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
244 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Martha Jane Potter Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
B Good

Whitesburg Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
189 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
B Good

Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
4 Students
👨‍🏫
1.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,959 Per Student
C Below Average

Letcher County Area Technology Center

📚 08 – 12 High School Limited Data
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 1,446 Off-Campus Students
C
Allure Beauty College
25 students · 1.6 mi
C
Alice Lloyd College
553 students · 13.2 mi
C
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
3,144 students · 14.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,446 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Whitesburg, KY?

Expect median prices around $93K in Whitesburg, KY. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

What approach is best for Whitesburg, KY real estate?

Most investors in Whitesburg, KY run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is it like being a landlord in Whitesburg, KY?

Rental owners in Whitesburg, KY deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How high is vacancy risk in Whitesburg, KY?

Whitesburg, KY vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

How viable is house hacking in Whitesburg, KY?

House hacking in Whitesburg, KY is reasonable to execute. Prices around $93K and rents of $783/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 41858 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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