Real Estate Investing in Morganfield, Kentucky (42437)

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

Union County • Population: 7,250 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42437 (Morganfield, KY)? 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 vacancy: 14.3% 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 Morganfield, KY (42437)?

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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 $167,152
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,664
% Renters 31.3%

Market Analysis: 42437 Morganfield

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Morganfield's 42437 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $167K pricing implies.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $167K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 42437 is substantial and deserves full respect.

ZIP 42437's metrics run below Union County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 42437 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 42437 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $167K 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 Morganfield:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/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 42437

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$46,222/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $92,444 $940 7.3% +9.1% $46,222
3BR $172,815 $1,130 4.7% +9.2% $57,605
4BR $232,462 $1,240 3.8% +8.5% $58,115

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$175K$152K$130K$107K$84K$62KMay 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42437 Compare?

Metric 42437 Morganfield Kentucky
Home Value $167,152 $167,152 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 7.8% 6.9%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 42437? 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 42437 (Morganfield, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $167,152
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 16.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42437

Population: 7,250

💰 Median Household Income
$60,664
This area
$60,664
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.3%
This area
31.3%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.7%
Black/African American 12.4%
Other/Mixed 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.7%
This area
13.7%
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 42437

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
29.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,276 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Morganfield Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,276 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Union County Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,276 Per Student
A Very Good

Union County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
666 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,276 Per Student
B Good

Union County Learning Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,276 Per Student
B Good

Union County Area Vocational Ed Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$17,276 Per Student
C Below Average

Union County Preschool and Headstart

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
97 Students
👨‍🏫
97.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,276 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Morganfield, KY a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Morganfield, KY reflects its $167K prices and $846/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within KY.

Is KY a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Morganfield, KY is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is vacancy a concern in Morganfield, KY?

Rental vacancy in Morganfield, KY is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Morganfield, KY?

Morganfield, KY is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $167K price point reasonable to enter.

How do experienced investors play Morganfield, KY?

The best-fit strategy in Morganfield, KY is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

You know 42437 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42437 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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