Real Estate Investing in Star City, Indiana (46985)

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

Pulaski County • Population: 1,247 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46985 (Star City, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 30.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Star City, IN (46985)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $173,732
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,554
% Renters 17.2%

Market Analysis: 46985 Star City

ZIP 46985 inside Pulaski County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $174K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $174K asset, 46985 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 46985 among IN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Looking more closely, 1,247 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.

seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Star City:

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 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 46985

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$51,390/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $119,264 $1,020 6.2% +10.2% $59,632
3BR $181,141 $1,390 5.5% +8.5% $60,380
4BR $205,560 $1,660 5.8% +7.8% $51,390

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$182K$158K$135K$111K$88K$65KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46985 Compare?

Metric 46985 Star City Indiana
Home Value $173,732 $173,732 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 8.1% 8.1% 7.7%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 46985? 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 46985 (Star City, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $173,732
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 15.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 12.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
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: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
30.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46985

Population: 1,247

💰 Median Household Income
$54,554
This area
$54,554
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.6 years
This area
50.6 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.6%
This area
30.6%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.1%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
👶 Under 18
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.0%
This area
28.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
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 much do tenants pay in Star City, IN?

Rent in Star City, IN is around $918/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $174K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Are renters plentiful in Star City, IN?

Star City, IN draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $918/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What strategy should investors use in Star City, IN?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Star City, IN best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $174K price point.

Does Star City, IN favor landlords or tenants?

Star City, IN operates under IN law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Does Star City, IN make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Star City, IN reflects its $174K prices and $918/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within IN.

You know 46985 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 46985 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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