Real Estate Investing in Stearns County, Minnesota

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

15 ZIP codes • Population: 135,465

Should you buy in Stearns County, MN? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Stearns County, MN?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

County-wide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

5.0% 5yr CAGR

3.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

Avg Investability ★★★★★
Avg Home Value $318,847
Avg Monthly Rent $1,178
ZIP Codes 15

Investing in Stearns County Real Estate

Stearns County spans 15 ZIP codes across 14 cities in Minnesota, with a population of 135,465. The county's soft investment metrics reflect deeper structural challenges — worth studying before making commitments.

Investors considering Stearns, Minnesota should understand what the ★★★☆☆ rating represents — a region with material challenges, not a temporary rough patch.

The 0% renter share in Stearns masks uneven tenant quality across ZIPs, and $N/AK median income leaves little cushion against economic shocks.

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 Stearns County, MN. Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Avg Home Value
$318,847
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,178
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (MN)
★★★☆☆

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on St. Cloud, MN metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
44%
Days Pending
1/2
51 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

🎓 Colleges & Universities in Stearns County

4 Colleges 15,638 Students 2,927 Off-Campus Renters
C+
Saint Cloud State University
4-Year Public · 10,514 students
📍 ~1,188 students rent off-campus
C+
College of Saint Benedict
4-Year Private · 1,451 students
C
Model College of Hair Design
Vocational For-Profit · 108 students
C
St Cloud Technical and Community College
2-Year Public · 3,565 students
📍 ~1,739 students rent off-campus

Investor Insight: With 2,927 students living off-campus, Stearns County has substantial rental demand from the college population — typically stable, lease-renewing tenants.

Cities in Stearns County

ZIP Codes in Stearns County, MN

Screen every market in Stearns 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 Stearns County

Is in MN worth investing in?

, MN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $319K and rents near $1,178/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What do landlords charge for rent in, MN?

The typical rental in, MN commands about $1,178/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $319K purchase basis.

What kind of tenants rent in, MN?

Tenant demand in, MN is solid. The local workforce $1,178/mo rents across most rental classes.

How does the, MN market compare with MN as a whole?

, MN comes in broadly in line with on the MN comparison. Specific drivers include $319K prices and $1,178/mo rents.

Community Ratings

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