Real Estate Investing in Arcadia, Iowa (51430)

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

Carroll County • Population: 1,204 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51430 (Arcadia, IA)? 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: 12.5% 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 Arcadia, IA (51430)?

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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 $248,139
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,554
% Renters 25.5%

Market Analysis: 51430 Arcadia

Looking more closely, ZIP 51430 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $248K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $891/mo on a $248K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 51430 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within IA, ZIP 51430 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Carroll County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

The 51430 ZIP's population of 1,204 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

seems 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 Arcadia:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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
Carroll, IA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.6%
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 Carroll, IA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$258K$230K$202K$174K$146K$119KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51430 Compare?

Metric 51430 Arcadia Carroll, IA Iowa
Home Value $248,139 $248,139 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.9% 7.9% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $891 $891 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 51430? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 51430 (Arcadia, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.9%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Carroll, 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 $248,139
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 23.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 10.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
12.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51430

Population: 1,204

💰 Median Household Income
$69,554
This area
$69,554
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
22.9 years
This area
22.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.8%
Other/Mixed 11.3%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
30.7%
This area
30.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.9%
This area
9.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Arcadia, IA?

Occupancy in Arcadia, IA runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $891/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is real estate in Arcadia, IA a good investment right now?

Arcadia, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $248K and rents near $891/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the typical home price in Arcadia, IA?

Homes in Arcadia, IA typically sell near $248K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

Can I house hack in Arcadia, IA?

Arcadia, IA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $891/mo rent level.

What is the typical renter like in Arcadia, IA?

Arcadia, IA offers a steady renter base at the $891/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 51430 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 51430 ranks in Carroll, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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