Most U.S. Opportunity Zones See Home Price Gains Amid Persistent Volatility — Evening Brief – 08.11.25
More than half (57%) of qualified low-income census tracts, saw quarter-over-quarter increases in median single-family home and condo prices, according to a recent report by Irvine, CA-based ATTOM, a curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics.
While this marks a positive trend, growth within Opportunity Zones still lagged slightly behind non-designated areas, where 56% of census tracts experienced annual price gains, compared to just 50.5% of Opportunity Zones, the Q2 2025 Opportunity Zones Report revealed.
The report evaluated 3,838 census tracts with sufficient transactional data—defined as at least five home sales during the quarter—and found that 8.4% of zones recorded their highest-ever median prices, dating back to at least 2008. Moreover, 39% of these areas saw home values rise by 10% or more year-over-year, underscoring the potential for outsized returns in some underserved markets amid a broader housing rally.
Yet, ATTOM emphasized that volatility remains elevated, particularly in lower-priced Opportunity Zones, which recorded the weakest gains. Nearly 73% of all zones analyzed saw median price swings of 5% or more on an annual basis, reflecting continued instability in economically challenged areas.
“Home values in most Opportunity Zones continue to move in step with the broader market—a pattern we’ve tracked since we began studying this segment,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “Drill down, though, and volatility persists, especially in the lowest-priced neighborhoods. Limited inventory nationwide is still driving prices higher and nudging marginal buyers toward areas with deeper economic challenges.”
Despite signs of growth, housing affordability remains a key characteristic of these zones. According to ATTOM, 79.9% of Opportunity Zones had median home prices below the national median of $369,000, and nearly half (49.6%) posted median prices under $225,000, further reinforcing their appeal to budget-conscious buyers and investors.
Regionally, the Midwest outperformed other parts of the country. Among states with at least 25 Opportunity Zones with adequate data, Wisconsin led the way, with 68% of zones recording annual home price gains, followed by Indiana and Iowa (65% each), Michigan (64%), and Missouri (59%).