Real Estate Investing in Decatur, Iowa

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

2 ZIP codes • Population: 898

Should you buy in Decatur County, IA? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

πŸ“ˆ For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 18.1% of homes vacant β€” above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.0% CAGR).

What’s happening in Decatur County, IA?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

County-wide average

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

Avg Investability β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…
Avg Home Value $195,186
Avg Monthly Rent $1,112
ZIP Codes 2

Investing in Decatur County Real Estate

Decatur County spans 2 ZIP codes across 2 cities in Iowa, with a population of 898. The county's underwhelming investment metrics reflect deeper structural challenges β€” worth studying before making commitments.

Across Decatur's 2 ZIPs, the investment landscape runs sluggish: thin appreciation, soft rents, and demographic trends that don't obviously reverse in the medium term.

Distressed-leaning demographics in Decatur β€” soft income growth, high rent burden, population shifts β€” are among the reasons the β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†β˜† rating sits where it does.

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 Decatur County, IA. Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Avg Home Value
$195,186
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,112
1% Rule
βœ— Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Cities in Decatur County

ZIP Codes in Decatur County, IA

Screen every market in Decatur County

Filter this county’s ZIPs by cap rate, vacancy, appreciation and 30+ more criteria, and export your shortlist to CSV — with the Investor plan ($19/mo). Add weekly alerts when these markets move with Investor Pro+.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Decatur County

What are home prices like in, IA?

In, IA the median home value sits at $195K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How do experienced investors play, IA?

For, IA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How much is rent in, IA?

Rental rates in, IA average $1,112/mo. Tenant demand and $195K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Does, IA make sense for an investment property?

, IA stands at an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $195K and average rents around $1,112/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

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