Real Estate Investing in Hamlin, Texas (79520)

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

Jones County • Population: 2,576 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 79520 (Hamlin, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.1% 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 Hamlin, TX (79520)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $104,896
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,847
% Renters 28.6%

Market Analysis: 79520 Hamlin

The 79520 ZIP in Hamlin, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $105K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $981/mo on a $105K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 79520 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within TX, ZIP 79520 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Jones County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 79520 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 79520 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $105K 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 Hamlin:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Abilene, TX Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.1%
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 Abilene, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$116K$108K$100K$91K$83K$75KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 79520 Compare?

Metric 79520 Hamlin Abilene, TX Texas
Home Value $104,896 $104,896 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $981 $981 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.3% 7.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 79520? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 79520 (Hamlin, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.3%
Good
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Abilene, TX metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
34 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $104,896
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 8.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.2%
Cap Rate 7.3%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.3%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
18.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79520

Population: 2,576

💰 Median Household Income
$52,847
This area
$52,847
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.6%
This area
28.6%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.0 years
This area
37.0 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.1%
This area
18.1%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.6%
Other/Mixed 23.6%
Hispanic/Latino 22.2%
Black/African American 1.7%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
26.7%
This area
26.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.1%
This area
13.1%
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 79520

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,896 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

HAMLIN COLLEGIATE H S

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
183 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,896 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HAMLIN COLLEGIATE EL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School Charter
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,896 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 expensive is real estate in Hamlin, TX?

Typical homes in Hamlin, TX go for around $105K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

Is Hamlin, TX a friendly market for rental owners?

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

Do rentals sit vacant long in Hamlin, TX?

Hamlin, TX sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader TX rental market.

What is the smart move for investors in Hamlin, TX?

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

What is the typical renter like in Hamlin, TX?

The tenant pool in Hamlin, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $981/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 79520 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 79520 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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How 79520 ranks in Abilene, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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