Real Estate Investing in Island, Kentucky (42350)

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

McLean County • Population: 1,175 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42350 (Island, 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 (52/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 4.2% in the last year.

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

What’s happening in Island, KY (42350)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $138,549
Avg Monthly Rent $999
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,917
% Renters 15.3%

Market Analysis: 42350 Island

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 42350 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $139K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 42350 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $139K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Island have seen price recovery that 42350 has not matched. McLean County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 42350 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 42350 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Island:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $999/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Owensboro, KY Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
53 days
Average time to sell
Average
12.0%
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 Owensboro, KY metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$157K$135K$113K$91K$69K$47KMay 2010Jun 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42350 Compare?

Metric 42350 Island Owensboro, KY Kentucky
Home Value $138,549 $138,549 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $999 $999 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.6% 5.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 42350? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 42350 (Island, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Owensboro, KY metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
56%
Days Pending
1/2
53 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $138,549
Monthly Rent $999
Price-to-Rent 11.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -4.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.6%). 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
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42350

Population: 1,175

💰 Median Household Income
$77,917
This area
$77,917
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.6%
This area
18.6%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.7 years
This area
44.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.1%
Asian 2.8%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.8%
This area
25.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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

How does Island, KY stack up for property investment?

Island, KY registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $139K and average rents around $999/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

What do landlords charge for rent in Island, KY?

Rent in Island, KY is around $999/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $139K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How tight is the rental market in Island, KY?

Island, KY carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $999/mo.

Is Island, KY landlord-friendly?

KY ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Island generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What price range are homes in Island, KY?

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

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How 42350 ranks in Owensboro, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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