Real Estate Investing in Lucas, Ohio (44843)

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

Richland County • Population: 2,732 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 44843 (Lucas, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (77/100)

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
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Lucas, OH (44843)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $267,810
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $85,595
% Renters 9.5%

Market Analysis: 44843 Lucas

The 44843 ZIP covers a section of Lucas that demands careful diligence. Prices near $268K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 44843 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

From an investor standpoint, 44843 offers a low basis, the region around Lucas has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 44843 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 44843, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Lucas:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Mansfield, OH Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
33 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.7%
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 Mansfield, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 44843

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$84,470/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $206,103 $970 3.4% +9.7% $103,051
3BR $256,180 $1,310 3.7% +8.7% $85,393
4BR $337,878 $1,530 3.3% +9.4% $84,470

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$283K$243K$203K$163K$123K$82KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 44843 Compare?

Metric 44843 Lucas Mansfield, OH Ohio
Home Value $267,810 $267,810 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 7.7% 7.7% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 44843? 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 44843 (Lucas, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.7%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Mansfield, OH metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
44%
Days Pending
0/2
33 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $267,810
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 25.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
3.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 44843

Population: 2,732

💰 Median Household Income
$85,595
This area
$85,595
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.5%
This area
9.5%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.2 years
This area
41.2 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.7%
Other/Mixed 6.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.2%
Black/African American 1.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 44843

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$15,519 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Lucas High School

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
151 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,519 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lucas Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,519 Per Student
B Good

Lucas Heritage Middle School

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
77 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,519 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

7 Nearby 508 Off-Campus Students
B
Madison Adult Career Center
91 students · 6.5 mi
C+
Apex Academy Hair Skin Nails School of Cosmetology
16 students · 10.5 mi
C+
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center
35 students · 10.8 mi
F
Ross Medical Education Center-Ontario
37 students · 11.2 mi
D
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus
849 students · 11.6 mi
C+
North Central State College
2,451 students · 11.8 mi
C
Ashland University
4,143 students · 12.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 508 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Lucas, OH?

Lucas, OH median home values land near $268K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $873/mo-per-month rentals.

Are rents high in Lucas, OH?

Rents in Lucas, OH run near $873/mo. Compared with median home prices of $268K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Which real estate strategy fits Lucas, OH?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Lucas, OH. The numbers - $268K homes against $873/mo rents - support that play.

Is Lucas, OH good for landlords?

For rental operators, Lucas, OH rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Lucas, OH?

Occupancy in Lucas, OH runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $873/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

You know 44843 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 44843 ranks in Mansfield, OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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