Real Estate Investing in Lincoln, Delaware (19960)

Sussex County • Population: 7,083 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 19960 (Lincoln, DE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Lincoln, DE (19960)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $363,430
Avg Monthly Rent $1,332
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,596
% Renters 13.1%

Market Analysis: 19960 Lincoln

The 19960 ZIP covers a section of Lincoln that demands careful diligence. Prices near $363K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 19960 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 19960's metrics run below Sussex County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 19960 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Lincoln averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lincoln:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,332/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Salisbury, MD-DE Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
66 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.3%
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 June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Salisbury, MD-DE metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 19960

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$107,485/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $358,107 $1,860 3.7% +8.5% $119,369
4BR $429,938 $2,300 3.9% +6.9% $107,485

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$382K$329K$277K$225K$172K$120KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

📊 How Does 19960 Compare?

Metric 19960 Lincoln Salisbury, MD-DE Delaware
Home Value $363,430 $363,430 N/A $397,840
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,332 $1,332 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 19960? Click to expand

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

📊 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 19960 (Lincoln, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $363,430
Monthly Rent $1,332
Price-to-Rent 22.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
6.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19960

Population: 7,083

💰 Median Household Income
$62,596
This area
$62,596
State
$82,016
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
21.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-26.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.7%
This area
12.7%
State
2.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.9 years
This area
37.9 years
State
-1.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
13.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.3%
Black/African American 24.2%
Other/Mixed 8.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.1%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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 19960

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$15,512 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Morris (Evelyn I.) Early Childhood

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
458 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,512 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

Is DE a landlord-friendly state?

Lincoln, DE operates under DE law, which is balanced overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Is the tenant base reliable in Lincoln, DE?

The tenant pool in Lincoln, DE is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,332/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How much is rent in Lincoln, DE?

Expect rents around $1,332/mo per month in Lincoln, DE. With home values at $363K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What kind of market is Lincoln, DE for investors?

Lincoln, DE stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $363K and average rents around $1,332/mo. That combination puts it in the resilient tier for investor interest.

Are homes affordable in Lincoln, DE?

Median home price in Lincoln, DE is near $363K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

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