Real Estate Investing in Stirling City, California (95978)

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

Butte • Population: 283 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95978 (Stirling City, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
4 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.1% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Elevated poverty: 52.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 24.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Stirling City, CA (95978)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $157,329
Avg Monthly Rent $1,377
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $124,318
% Renters 63.3%

Market Analysis: 95978 Stirling City

ZIP 95978 in Stirling City, CA carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $157K and rents of $1,377/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 95978 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $157K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Stirling City have seen price recovery that 95978 has not matched. Butte data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 95978 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 95978, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Stirling City:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+19.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,377/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$169K$141K$113K$86K$58K$30KJun 2011Jan 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95978 Compare?

Metric 95978 Stirling City California
Home Value $157,329 $157,329 $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.1% 0.1% 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,377 $1,377 -
Cap Rate 6.8% 6.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 95978? Click to expand

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

63% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95978 (Stirling City, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Butte County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Blue Oak Property Management is a full-service residential property management company with deep roots in the Chico community, offering high-end and personalized service. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Entwood Property Management is located at 2525 Ceanothus Ave, Chico, CA. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

IPM Property Management offers multi-family and commercial property management services in Chico and Butte County, CA. 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
6.8%
Good
5yr Growth
+0.1%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $157,329
Monthly Rent $1,377
Price-to-Rent 9.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.5%
Cap Rate 6.8%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +19.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

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

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.8%). 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
0.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95978

Population: 283

💰 Median Household Income
$124,318
This area
$124,318
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
63.3%
This area
63.3%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.0%
This area
16.0%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
23.5%
This area
23.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
33.7%
This area
33.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
52.2%
This area
52.2%
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 95978

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Pine Ridge

📚 K – 06 School
📍 13878 Compton Dr., Magalia
👥
183 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$45,828 Per Student
B Good

Cedarwood Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 6400 Columbine Rd., Magalia
👥
248 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$45,828 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

What is the rental occupancy rate in Stirling City, CA?

Stirling City, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Stirling City, CA?

The renter base in Stirling City, CA is reasonable for the $1,377/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

What do rentals go for in Stirling City, CA?

Average rent in Stirling City, CA is approximately $1,377/mo per month. Against $157K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What is the median home value in Stirling City, CA?

Expect median prices around $157K in Stirling City, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

What is the smart move for investors in Stirling City, CA?

Most investors in Stirling City, CA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 95978 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 95978 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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