Are Opportunity Zones Delivering on Their Promise? New Data Reveals Mixed Results

When Congress introduced Opportunity Zones as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the goal was simple but ambitious—spur investment and economic revitalization in struggling communities by offering tax breaks to investors. Nearly eight years later, new research from ATTOM’s Q2 2025 report paints a nuanced picture: while many zones are seeing property value growth, the gains are uneven, and the nation’s most distressed neighborhoods remain slow to recover.

Price Growth Mirrors the Broader Market—With a Twist

ATTOM examined 3,838 Opportunity Zones across the country that met its criteria for analysis (at least five home sales during Q2 2025). The results show:

• Quarterly gains: 57.3% of analyzed Opportunity Zone census tracts saw median single-family home and condo prices rise between Q1 and Q2 of 2025.
• Annual growth: Over the past year, 50.5% of Opportunity Zones posted median price increases slightly lagging the 56% seen in neighborhoods outside the zones.
• Bigger leaps in some areas: 39% of Opportunity Zone tracts recorded annual price jumps of 10% or more, compared with 32% outside these zones.
• Struggling low-value areas: In neighborhoods with median prices below $125,000, only 39% saw annual increases, underscoring persistent challenges for the lowest-priced markets.

The Midwest Is Leading the Charge

The Midwest emerged as the standout performer for Opportunity Zone growth:

• Wisconsin: 68% of zones saw year-over-year gains
• Indiana & Iowa: 65% each
• Michigan: 64%
• Missouri: 59%

By contrast, many Sun Belt and coastal areas showed slower progress, reinforcing the regional disparities in recovery.

Prices Still Lag Far Behind the National Median

While growth rates in many zones are comparable to national trends, actual price levels remain much lower:

• National median home price (Q2 2025): $369,000
• Median price in nearly 80% of Opportunity Zones: below the national median
• Half of all zones: under $225,000
• Midwest affordability: 54% of zones had medians below $175,000, compared with 38% in the Northeast, 36% in the South, and just 6% in the West.

Experts See Progress—But Also Persistent Gaps

“Home values in most Opportunity Zones continue to move in step with the broader market,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “But drill down, and volatility persists especially in the lowest-priced neighborhoods.”

Barber notes that tight national housing inventory is a key driver of rising prices, even in areas with deeper economic challenges. Still, he cautions that some communities are trailing the recovery curve, with lingering economic barriers slowing momentum.

The Bigger Question: Are They Working?

Opportunity Zones are located in or near federally designated low-income areas, covering all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. They were designed to channel private investment into real estate and business development where it’s most needed.

While price appreciation suggests increased demand and activity, critics argue that property value growth alone doesn’t necessarily equal community revitalization especially if affordability erodes for existing residents.

The ATTOM report reinforces this point: while many Opportunity Zones are catching up to national trends, the most disadvantaged communities are still facing the steepest climb toward sustainable growth. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.