Real Estate Investing in Barnes City, Iowa (50027)

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

Mahaska County • Population: 169 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50027 (Barnes City, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated poverty: 20.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Barnes City, IA (50027)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $141,052
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,477
% Renters 32.2%

Market Analysis: 50027 Barnes City

ZIP 50027 inside Mahaska County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $141K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 50027 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 50027 and stronger Barnes City ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 50027 ZIP's population of 169 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Barnes City:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+30.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Oskaloosa, IA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Oskaloosa, IA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$145K$134K$123K$111K$100K$89KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50027 Compare?

Metric 50027 Barnes City Oskaloosa, IA Iowa
Home Value $141,052 $141,052 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $837 $837 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50027 (Barnes City, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Oskaloosa, IA metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $141,052
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 14.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 16.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +30.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +11.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50027

Population: 169

💰 Median Household Income
$51,477
This area
$51,477
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.2%
This area
32.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.1%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
👶 Under 18
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.2%
This area
20.2%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
William Penn University
1,536 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is tenant demand in Barnes City, IA?

The renter base in Barnes City, IA is reasonable for the $837/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

Should investors consider Barnes City, IA?

Investors tracking Barnes City, IA will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $141K median home values and $837/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

Is Barnes City, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

Landlord-friendliness in Barnes City, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What is the typical rental rate in Barnes City, IA?

Barnes City, IA rentals go for roughly $837/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $141K acquisition costs.

What is the typical home price in Barnes City, IA?

Barnes City, IA median home values land near $141K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $837/mo-per-month rentals.

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How 50027 ranks in Oskaloosa, IA

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