Real Estate Investing in Helena - West Helena, Arkansas (72390)

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

Phillips County • Population: 7,080 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 72390 (Helena - West Helena, AR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
6 flags
  • High vacancy: 27.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 8.1% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 32.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Helena - West Helena, AR (72390)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $37,989
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $31,731
% Renters 45.4%

Market Analysis: 72390 Helena - West Helena

Investors scanning Helena - West Helena, AR for forced-equity plays often land on the 72390 ZIP. A worth a close look for entry near $38K pairs with rents of $792/mo to widen the renovation window.

Cap rate math of 0.0% understates the return here. Post-rehab, stabilized yields climb, and the 72390 ZIP's older housing stock gives operators the opportunity set to execute.

In Phillips County, 72390 is part of the operational map, not the passive one. The spread between median price and renovated comp reflects the work available.

Residents in 72390 skew younger than the county average, and that matters for rehab positioning. Younger renters respond to finishes, appliances, and in-unit laundry in ways that move rent.

Strategic fit here is operational. Pro forma discipline, capex reserves, and lender relationships matter more than the marketing pitch.

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 Helena - West Helena:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.2× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Helena-West Helena, AR Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
3.5%
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 Helena-West Helena, AR metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$49K$46K$43K$41K$38K$36KApr 2013Dec 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 72390 Compare?

Metric 72390 Helena - West Helena Helena-West Helena, AR Arkansas
Home Value $37,989 $41,678 N/A $216,341
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $792 $833 N/A -
Cap Rate 16.3% 15.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 72390? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $792/mo on homes averaging $37,989 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

A healthy rental market with 45% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 72390 (Helena - West Helena, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
16.3%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-2.9%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $37,989
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 4.0:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 25.0%
Cap Rate 16.3%
5-Year IRR 13.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -8.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.9% ▼
10-Year CAGR -0.2% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 16.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (16.3%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
27.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.9%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 72390

Population: 7,080

💰 Median Household Income
$31,731
This area
$31,731
State
$52,981
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
45.4%
This area
45.4%
State
24.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
State
-21.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
-9.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.7 years
This area
30.7 years
State
3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.9%
This area
27.9%
State
22.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 71.7%
White 26.1%
Other/Mixed 2.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
👶 Under 18
33.2%
This area
33.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
32.9%
This area
32.9%
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 72390

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$16,504 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
436 Students
👨‍🏫
8.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,504 Per Student
B+ Above Average

J.F. WAHL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
541 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,504 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 227 Off-Campus Students
C+
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
1,356 students · 3.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Helena - West Helena, AR for investors?

Helena - West Helena, AR rates 4.0/5 for investability. With median values at $38K and rents near $792/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Helena - West Helena, AR?

House hacking works an attractive in Helena - West Helena, AR. Rents of $792/mo against $38K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How should investors approach Helena - West Helena, AR?

Investors usually favor value-add and BRRRR deals in Helena - West Helena, AR. With home values at $38K and rents near $792/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.

What is the median home value in Helena - West Helena, AR?

Helena - West Helena, AR home values average about $38K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $792/mo in monthly income.

What do landlords charge for rent in Helena - West Helena, AR?

Investors in Helena - West Helena, AR typically see rents near $792/mo per month against $38K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 72390 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 72390 ranks in Helena-West Helena, AR

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