Ive used neighborhood scout and spotcrime to look at the demographics and crime in the area. 

Be careful to paint with broad brushes entire swaths of demographics as "want too much" or "Generally want to make the most possible". 

I'm most intrigued about owner information, mortgage data and demographic info - looking to optimize mailing campaigns. 

Speaking as someone who represented some of those demographics as a renter, half of those need a tub, the others might not care. 

Sure, it's C- in that I could find worse areas, but the demographic is a solid D.

I would say that schools probably are a LARGE contributing factor if that is your target demographic.

US Census Bureau (We're mid decade, so this grows less useful, but it's still a great constant for demographic, population and home ownership trends)RealtyTrac (These guys do a lot of great of easily readable reports on different aspects of housing trends)Glassdoor Blog (Jobs should be almost as important to you as housing.

600-650 minimum is ideal, preferably higher but it depends what property class and demographic you're dealing with. 

Here's a brief overview:My GoalObjective: Generate a monthly cash flow of $1,000.Initial Capital: $50,000 for down payments and renovations.Target Markets: Indianapolis, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia.Strategy OverviewProperty Focus: Duplexes, triplexes, or single-family homes suitable for a rent-by-room model, primarily targeting IT professionals and bankers.Market Selection Rationale: These cities were chosen for their balance of affordability and potential for rental income, with a specific interest in neighborhoods popular among young professionals.Financial Approach: Leverage the initial capital to acquire properties, possibly using FHA loans for lower down payments if applicable.Specific QueriesProperty Selection: Given the targeted tenant demographic (IT professionals and bankers), are there specific neighborhoods or property types you'd recommend within these cities?

Hopefully you don't have discriminatory attitudes toward any particular demographic, but there are also realities to sharing walls, floors, and ceilings with other people.