Real Estate Investing in Fort Scott, Kansas (66701)

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

Bourbon County • Population: 11,075 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66701 (Fort Scott, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (83/100)

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

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

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Fort Scott, KS (66701)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $135,242
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,562
% Renters 32.0%

Market Analysis: 66701 Fort Scott

ZIP 66701 inside Bourbon County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $135K — 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 $135K asset, 66701 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 66701's metrics run below Bourbon County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 66701 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.

Strategically, 66701 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 Fort Scott:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.5%)
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: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
🏠

Property Strategy for 66701

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$36,173/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $72,347 $940 9.4% +8.5% $36,173
3BR $149,131 $1,150 5.6% +8.5% $49,710
4BR $192,243 $1,370 5.1% +8.7% $48,061

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$141K$125K$108K$92K$76K$59KMay 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66701 Compare?

Metric 66701 Fort Scott Kansas
Home Value $135,242 $135,242 $237,409
5-Year CAGR 8.0% 8.0% 7.2%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 66701? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 66701 (Fort Scott, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $135,242
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 13.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 12.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
11.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66701

Population: 11,075

💰 Median Household Income
$52,562
This area
$52,562
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.6 years
This area
38.6 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.1%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Black/African American 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.6%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 66701

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$13,765 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Eugene Ware Elem

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
362 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,765 Per Student
A Very Good

Fort Scott Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,765 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Fort Scott Sr High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
568 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,765 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Winfield Scott Elem

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,765 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

1 Nearby 112 Off-Campus Students
C
Fort Scott Community College
1,464 students · 2.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Fort Scott, KS?

Average rent in Fort Scott, KS is approximately $846/mo per month. Against $135K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How should investors approach Fort Scott, KS?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Fort Scott, KS. The numbers - $135K homes against $846/mo rents - support that play.

What kind of market is Fort Scott, KS for investors?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Fort Scott, KS ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $135K and rents of $846/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Are there empty rentals in Fort Scott, KS?

Expect elevated vacancy in Fort Scott, KS. Rents at $846/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is house hacking profitable in Fort Scott, KS?

The house hack math a challenging in Fort Scott, KS. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $846/mo rents and $135K home values.

You know 66701 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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