Real Estate Investing in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa (51054)

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

Woodbury County • Population: 5,596 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51054 (Sergeant Bluff, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Sergeant Bluff, IA (51054)?

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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 $366,569
Avg Monthly Rent $1,341
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $116,111
% Renters 25.3%

Market Analysis: 51054 Sergeant Bluff

ZIP 51054 inside Woodbury County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $367K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 51054 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 51054 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 51054 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

looks to 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 Sergeant Bluff:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,341/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
58 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.0%
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 51054

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$87,878/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $336,986 $1,790 3.8% +7.0% $112,329
4BR $377,104 $1,970 3.8% +6.7% $94,276
5BR $439,391 +6.7% $87,878

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$383K$336K$289K$243K$196K$150KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51054 Compare?

Metric 51054 Sergeant Bluff Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Iowa
Home Value $366,569 $366,569 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,341 $1,341 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 51054? 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 51054 (Sergeant Bluff, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $366,569
Monthly Rent $1,341
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
5.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51054

Population: 5,596

💰 Median Household Income
$116,111
This area
$116,111
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.3%
This area
25.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.8%
This area
37.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.8 years
This area
35.8 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.5%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Asian 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
29.3%
This area
29.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.4%
This area
12.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.9%
This area
7.9%
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 51054

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.3:1 Avg Class Size
$13,637 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Sergeant Bluff-Luton Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
377 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,637 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sergeant Bluff-Luton Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,637 Per Student
B Good

Sergeant Bluff-Luton Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
537 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,637 Per Student
B Good

Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
400 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,637 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

6 Nearby 1,633 Off-Campus Students
C
Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City
40 students · 4.7 mi
C
Morningside University
2,158 students · 6.8 mi
C+
Western Iowa Tech Community College
5,071 students · 7.3 mi
C
St Luke's College
196 students · 10.5 mi
C
Briar Cliff University
940 students · 11.4 mi
C
Little Priest Tribal College
208 students · 12.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,633 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it like being a landlord in Sergeant Bluff, IA?

IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Sergeant Bluff inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What strategy should investors use in Sergeant Bluff, IA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Sergeant Bluff, IA best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $367K price point.

Where do home prices stand in Sergeant Bluff, IA?

Sergeant Bluff, IA median home values land near $367K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,341/mo-per-month rentals.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Sergeant Bluff, IA?

Occupancy in Sergeant Bluff, IA runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,341/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Does house hacking make sense in Sergeant Bluff, IA?

House hacking works a challenging in Sergeant Bluff, IA. Rents of $1,341/mo against $367K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 51054 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 51054 ranks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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