Real Estate Investing in Sterling City, Texas (76951)

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

Sterling County • Population: 1,389 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 76951 (Sterling City, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 24.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 7.2% in the last year.

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

What’s happening in Sterling City, TX (76951)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $168,187
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,558
% Renters 14.0%

Market Analysis: 76951 Sterling City

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Sterling City's 76951 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $168K pricing implies.

The investment case in 76951 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $168K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 76951's metrics run below Sterling County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A significant renter share of 14% in 76951 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 76951 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $168K 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 Sterling City:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-7.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
San Angelo, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
89 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.8%
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 San Angelo, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$235K$221K$207K$192K$178K$163KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 76951 Compare?

Metric 76951 Sterling City San Angelo, TX Texas
Home Value $168,187 $168,187 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,026 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.8% 4.8% - -

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 76951 (Sterling City, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.8%
Fair

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on San Angelo, TX metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
61%
Days Pending
2/2
89 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $168,187
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.8%
5-Year IRR N/A

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -7.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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
24.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 76951

Population: 1,389

💰 Median Household Income
$63,558
This area
$63,558
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.1 years
This area
32.1 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.8%
This area
24.8%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.4%
Other/Mixed 24.2%
Hispanic/Latino 23.8%
Asian 0.2%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
34.6%
This area
34.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
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 76951

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$28,231 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

STERLING CITY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
347 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$28,231 Per Student
B Good

STERLING CITY/VERIBEST SPECIAL PROGRAMS

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
👥
1 Students
💰
$28,231 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

How do home values compare in Sterling City, TX?

Homes in Sterling City, TX typically sell near $168K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which stable long-term demand.

Does Sterling City, TX make sense for an investment property?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Sterling City, TX ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $168K and rents of $1,026/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Is Sterling City, TX landlord-friendly?

TX law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Sterling City inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What investment strategy works best in Sterling City, TX?

In Sterling City, TX the healthy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $168K prices and $1,026/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the tenant pool like in Sterling City, TX?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Sterling City, TX. The rental market absorbs $1,026/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 76951 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 76951 ranks in San Angelo, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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