Real Estate Investing in Owensboro, Kentucky (42301)

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

Daviess County • Population: 45,399 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 42301 (Owensboro, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Owensboro, KY (42301)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $211,663
Avg Monthly Rent $1,287
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,478
% Renters 36.8%

Market Analysis: 42301 Owensboro

ZIP 42301 inside Daviess County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $212K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 42301 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $212K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 42301 among KY's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Put differently, 45,399 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 42301 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 Owensboro:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,287/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
🏠

Property Strategy for 42301

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
10.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
1BR
$62,434/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $62,434 $890 10.3% +9.1% $62,434
2BR $125,619 $1,170 6.7% +10.0% $62,809
3BR $199,290 $1,550 5.6% +8.1% $66,430
4BR $286,662 $1,550 3.9% +7.1% $71,665
5BR $357,511 +6.7% $71,502

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$221K$193K$165K$137K$109K$81KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,371$1,327$1,283$1,239$1,195$1,151Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42301 Compare?

Metric 42301 Owensboro Owensboro, KY Kentucky
Home Value $211,663 $107,888 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.3% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $1,287 $1,120 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 42301? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 42301 (Owensboro, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 42301 (Owensboro, KY)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📉 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 $211,663
Monthly Rent $1,287
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -5.6% ▼
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
6.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42301

Population: 45,399

💰 Median Household Income
$59,478
This area
$59,478
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.8%
This area
36.8%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.0%
This area
26.0%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.7 years
This area
36.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 84.2%
Black/African American 6.8%
Other/Mixed 6.3%
Hispanic/Latino 3.3%
Asian 2.6%
👶 Under 18
25.3%
This area
25.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.6%
This area
12.6%
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 42301

B+ Avg School Grade
22 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$16,627 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Cravens Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
377 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Foust Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
412 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Owensboro Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
786 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
A Very Good

Hager Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
142 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
A Very Good

F T Burns Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
446 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
A Very Good

F T Burns Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
756 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
A Very Good

Owensboro Innovation Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
312 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
A Very Good

Sutton Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
514 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Audubon Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
416 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sorgho Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
378 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Tamarack Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
542 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B+ Above Average

West Louisville Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Owensboro High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,329 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Emerson Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
98 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Heritage Park High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
142 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Apollo High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,350 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Valley Elementary School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
4.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Valley High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
9 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Kentucky TECH - Owensboro Campus

📚 Grade UG Elementary Limited Data
💰
$17,055 Per Student
B Good

Owensboro Innovation Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$17,055 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

4 Nearby 2,548 Off-Campus Students
C
Kentucky Wesleyan College
834 students · 6.9 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Owensboro
29 students · 7.1 mi
C
Brescia University
638 students · 7.6 mi
C
Owensboro Community and Technical College
4,694 students · 9.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,548 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Owensboro, KY a good investment right now?

Investors tracking Owensboro, KY will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $212K median home values and $1,287/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What is the best play in Owensboro, KY?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Owensboro, KY. The numbers - $212K homes against $1,287/mo rents - support that play.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Owensboro, KY?

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

What is the average home sale price in Owensboro, KY?

Owensboro, KY median home values land near $212K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,287/mo-per-month rentals.

Are renters plentiful in Owensboro, KY?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Owensboro, KY. The rental market absorbs $1,287/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 42301 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42301 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.

Compare Plans

How 42301 ranks in Owensboro, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 42301 (Owensboro)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 42301 (Owensboro, KY).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.