Property investment stats for St Ives (Cornwall), South West

• There’s a steady rental market, supported by a private rented sector in the 54th percentile, and the top postcode district offers a rental yield of 3.2%.
• The older demographic and high single occupier household rate (both in the 96th percentile) may create demand for smaller, low-maintenance homes or flats, especially for retirees downsizing.
• Median asking prices for both three-bedroom houses (£450,000) and two-bedroom flats (£375,000) could appeal to buyers looking for holiday lets or pied-à-terre investments.

• Capital growth has changed by -5.7% over the past year and -0.8% over three years, so investors should be cautious about relying on price appreciation in the short term.
• Properties take an average of 80 days to sell, which may affect liquidity and make quick exits tricky.
• The price-to-income ratio of 8.2 suggests affordability could be a challenge for local buyers, potentially limiting the pool of long-term tenants or owner-occupiers.

Looking ahead, I’d expect the property market in St Ives to remain steady but not spectacular. The area’s appeal to retirees and second-home buyers is unlikely to wane, but the lack of younger households (with the 20-30 and 30-40 age groups both in the bottom 10th percentile) means growth in demand may be slow.

Rental yields are unlikely to set the world alight, but with the private rented sector in the 54th percentile, there’s still a decent base of tenants. The annual sales figure of 77 and a median price per square foot of £456 per sq ft suggest a market that rewards patience and a long-term view. Investors who can cater to the older, single-occupier market or offer attractive holiday lets may find opportunities, but I wouldn’t expect rapid capital growth given the annualised growth rate of -0.3%.