Real Estate Investing in Bethelridge, Kentucky (42516)

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

Casey County • Population: 616 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42516 (Bethelridge, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Lower household income: $39,133 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Bethelridge, KY (42516)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $167,937
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,133
% Renters 4.7%

Market Analysis: 42516 Bethelridge

The 42516 ZIP covers a section of Bethelridge that demands careful diligence. Prices near $168K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 42516 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $168K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader KY picture, 42516 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Turning to rents, 616 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.

Strategically, 42516 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 Bethelridge:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+16.4%)
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)

$185K$160K$134K$108K$82K$56KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42516 Compare?

Metric 42516 Bethelridge Kentucky
Home Value $167,937 $167,937 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 10.4% 10.4% 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 42516? 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 42516 (Bethelridge, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+10.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $167,937
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 17.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 14.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +16.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +10.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
8.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+10.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42516

Population: 616

💰 Median Household Income
$39,133
This area
$39,133
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.9%
This area
6.9%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.4 years
This area
54.4 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.6%
This area
8.6%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
1.8%
This area
1.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.4%
This area
30.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.9%
This area
16.9%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 2,848 Off-Campus Students
C+
Somerset Community College
5,766 students · 14.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,848 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Typical homes in Bethelridge, KY go for around $168K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Does Bethelridge, KY make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Bethelridge, KY reflects its $168K prices and $783/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within KY.

Are renters plentiful in Bethelridge, KY?

Working renters make up the core of the Bethelridge, KY tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What does house hacking look like in Bethelridge, KY?

For house hackers, Bethelridge, KY is a challenging. The $783/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $168K property.

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

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

You know 42516 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42516 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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