Real Estate Investing in Hat Creek, California (96016)

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

Shasta County • Population: 297 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96016 (Hat Creek, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (29/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 37.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.2% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• 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 Hat Creek, CA (96016)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $314,847
Avg Monthly Rent $1,431
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,573
% Renters 26.6%

Market Analysis: 96016 Hat Creek

This part of Shasta County is not an easy win. The 96016 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 96016 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within CA, ZIP 96016 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Shasta County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

A robust renter share of 27% in 96016 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 96016 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $315K 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 Hat Creek:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 49/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,431/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
Redding, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.4%
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 Redding, CA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$329K$310K$292K$274K$255K$237KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96016 Compare?

Metric 96016 Hat Creek Redding, CA California
Home Value $314,847 $157,424 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.2% 1.2% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,431 $1,431 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 96016 (Hat Creek, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.2%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Redding, CA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
45%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $314,847
Monthly Rent $1,431
Price-to-Rent 18.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 4.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
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: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
37.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96016

Population: 297

💰 Median Household Income
$51,573
This area
$51,573
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.6%
This area
26.6%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.2 years
This area
57.2 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
37.6%
This area
37.6%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
👶 Under 18
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
48.3%
This area
48.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.2%
This area
24.2%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Hat Creek, CA?

Typical homes in Hat Creek, CA go for around $315K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

Should investors consider Hat Creek, CA?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Hat Creek, CA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $315K and rents of $1,431/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What approach is best for Hat Creek, CA real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Hat Creek, CA. The numbers - $315K homes against $1,431/mo rents - support that play.

Is CA a landlord-friendly state?

The landlord environment in Hat Creek, CA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Is vacancy a concern in Hat Creek, CA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Hat Creek, CA. Rents at $1,431/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 96016 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 96016 ranks in Redding, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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