Real Estate Investing in Empire, California (95319)

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

Stanislaus County • Population: 1,580 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95319 (Empire, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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

📈 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
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

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

What’s happening in Empire, CA (95319)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $361,893
Avg Monthly Rent $1,269
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,933
% Renters 51.7%

Market Analysis: 95319 Empire

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 95319 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $362K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

On balance, the numbers look inviting — $362K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 95319 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader CA picture, 95319 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 95319 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 95319 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Empire:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,269/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Modesto, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
38 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.0%
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 Modesto, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95319

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$119,946/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $315,358 $1,410 3.2% +6.5% $157,679
3BR $359,839 $1,980 4.0% +6.3% $119,946

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$390K$318K$246K$174K$102K$30KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95319 Compare?

Metric 95319 Empire Modesto, CA California
Home Value $361,893 $361,893 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,269 $1,269 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95319? Click to expand

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

52% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 95319 (Empire, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Stanislaus County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

summary from their website summary from their website

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Liberty Property Management offers services for Homeowners Associations, residential and commercial property management, and rental assistance in Stanislaus County and surrounding cities. summary from their website

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Valley Oak Property Management provides property management services in Modesto and Stanislaus County, including Ceres, Escalon, and Manteca. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Modesto, CA 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
38 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $361,893
Monthly Rent $1,269
Price-to-Rent 23.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 6.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
3.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95319

Population: 1,580

💰 Median Household Income
$48,933
This area
$48,933
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
51.7%
This area
51.7%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.1%
This area
6.1%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.7 years
This area
36.7 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.5%
Other/Mixed 34.1%
Hispanic/Latino 29.2%
Asian 0.9%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
16.1%
This area
16.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
5.3%
This area
5.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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 95319

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
18.9:1 Avg Class Size
$181,327 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Teel School in Empire

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
161 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$346,324 Per Student
B Good

Empire Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
374 Students
👨‍🏫
23.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,330 Per Student

Nearby Schools (4 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B Good

Norman N. Glick Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 400 Frazine Rd., Modesto
👥
601 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,330 Per Student
B Good

Alice N. Stroud Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 815 Frazine Rd., Modesto
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,330 Per Student
B Good

Bernard L. Hughes Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 512 North McClure Rd., Modesto
👥
474 Students
👨‍🏫
25.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,330 Per Student
C Below Average

Peter Johansen High

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 641 Norseman Dr., Modesto
👥
2,000 Students
👨‍🏫
23.0:1 Class Size
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

8 Nearby 10,818 Off-Campus Students
C+
California Beauty School
73 students · 6.7 mi
D
North Adrian's College of Beauty Inc
213 students · 7.1 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto
305 students · 7.3 mi
C
Modesto Junior College
17,152 students · 7.4 mi
B
California State University-Stanislaus
9,841 students · 7.4 mi
C+
Central Valley Barber College
101 students · 8.0 mi
C+
DeHart Technical School
80 students · 8.7 mi
D
Yosemite Community College District Office
0 students · 9.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 10,818 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are vacancy rates like in Empire, CA?

Vacancy risk in Empire, CA is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Are landlord laws favorable in Empire, CA?

Empire, CA falls under CA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the best play in Empire, CA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Empire, CA. The numbers - $362K homes against $1,269/mo rents - support that play.

Is house hacking profitable in Empire, CA?

For house hackers, Empire, CA is a challenging. The $1,269/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $362K property.

What is the average home sale price in Empire, CA?

Empire, CA median home values land near $362K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,269/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 95319 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95319 ranks in Modesto, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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