Real Estate Investing in Walkerton, Indiana (46574)

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

Saint Joseph County • Population: 7,414 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46574 (Walkerton, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 21.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Walkerton, IN (46574)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $237,650
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,851
% Renters 13.5%

Market Analysis: 46574 Walkerton

This part of Saint Joseph County is not an easy win. The 46574 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 46574 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Walkerton have seen price recovery that 46574 has not matched. Saint Joseph County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 46574 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

New investors are better served looking at Walkerton's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 46574. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Walkerton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 46574

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+9.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$67,678/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $117,863 $850 5.2% +9.0% $117,863
2BR $172,659 $1,040 4.3% +8.5% $86,330
3BR $241,570 $1,260 3.8% +8.8% $80,523
4BR $307,460 $1,460 3.4% +8.5% $76,865
5BR $338,389 +9.8% $67,678

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$249K$216K$184K$151K$118K$85KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46574 Compare?

Metric 46574 Walkerton Indiana
Home Value $237,650 $237,650 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 7.7%
Avg Rent $936 $936 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 46574? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46574 (Walkerton, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $237,650
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 21.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
21.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46574

Population: 7,414

💰 Median Household Income
$69,851
This area
$69,851
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.5%
This area
13.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.0 years
This area
43.0 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.0%
This area
21.0%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.3%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 2.5%
👶 Under 18
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.5%
This area
20.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 46574

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
15.4:1 Avg Class Size
$12,854 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Harold C Urey Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
306 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,854 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John Glenn High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
633 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,854 Per Student
B Good

Walkerton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
592 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,854 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby
C
Marian University-Ancilla
218 students · 9.6 mi
D
Taylor Institute of Cosmetology II
45 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Walkerton, IN stack up for property investment?

Walkerton, IN records an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $238K and average rents around $936/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

Is rental property easy to operate in Walkerton, IN?

The landlord environment in Walkerton, IN is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Walkerton, IN?

Average rent in Walkerton, IN is approximately $936/mo per month. Against $238K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How deep is the rental pool in Walkerton, IN?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Walkerton, IN. The rental market absorbs $936/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What are vacancy rates like in Walkerton, IN?

Walkerton, IN sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IN rental market.

You know 46574 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46574 ranks in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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