Real Estate Investing in Polk, Ohio (44866)

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

Ashland County • Population: 2,454 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 44866 (Polk, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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 25.8 — 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 Polk, OH (44866)?

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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 $270,331
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,357
% Renters 7.3%

Market Analysis: 44866 Polk

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Polk's 44866 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $270K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 44866 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $270K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader OH picture, 44866 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 44866 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 44866 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $270K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Polk:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Ashland, OH Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.9%
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 Ashland, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 44866

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$80,442/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $204,475 $970 3.4% +8.9% $102,237
3BR $273,863 $1,280 3.4% +8.8% $91,288
4BR $321,767 $1,470 3.3% +9.4% $80,442

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$284K$245K$207K$169K$131K$92KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 44866 Compare?

Metric 44866 Polk Ashland, OH Ohio
Home Value $270,331 $270,331 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 44866? 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 44866 (Polk, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Ashland, OH metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $270,331
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 25.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 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
5.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 44866

Population: 2,454

💰 Median Household Income
$65,357
This area
$65,357
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.3 years
This area
35.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.9%
Other/Mixed 2.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
30.7%
This area
30.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.8%
This area
18.8%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 26 Off-Campus Students
C
Ashland University
4,143 students · 7.8 mi
C+
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center
35 students · 9.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What approach is best for Polk, OH real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Polk, OH. The numbers - $270K homes against $873/mo rents - support that play.

What are rental rates like in Polk, OH?

Average rent in Polk, OH is approximately $873/mo per month. Against $270K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Polk, OH?

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

Is Polk, OH suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Polk, OH reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Polk, OH?

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

You know 44866 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 44866 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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How 44866 ranks in Ashland, OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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