Real Estate Investing in Schleswig, Iowa (51461)

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

Crawford County • Population: 1,150 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51461 (Schleswig, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (74/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Schleswig, IA (51461)?

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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 $176,112
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,500
% Renters 24.0%

Market Analysis: 51461 Schleswig

In practical terms, ZIP 51461 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $176K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $176K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 51461 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 51461 and stronger Schleswig ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 51461 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

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 Schleswig:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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 51461

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
7.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$33,001/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $135,195 $930 5.0% +8.1% $67,598
3BR $158,137 $1,200 5.5% +6.8% $52,712
4BR $132,004 $1,400 7.6% +7.2% $33,001

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$183K$163K$144K$124K$105K$86KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51461 Compare?

Metric 51461 Schleswig Iowa
Home Value $176,112 $176,112 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 6.0%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 51461? 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 51461 (Schleswig, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $176,112
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 10.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
10.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51461

Population: 1,150

💰 Median Household Income
$69,500
This area
$69,500
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.2 years
This area
37.2 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.0%
Other/Mixed 17.2%
Hispanic/Latino 14.7%
Asian 2.7%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.9%
This area
13.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
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 51461

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$27,738 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Schleswig Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
76 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$27,738 Per Student
A Very Good

Schleswig Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
52 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$27,738 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Schleswig, IA?

Most investors in Schleswig, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How tight is the rental market in Schleswig, IA?

Schleswig, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $837/mo.

What is the average home sale price in Schleswig, IA?

Expect median prices around $176K in Schleswig, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

Does Schleswig, IA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Schleswig, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What is the typical rental rate in Schleswig, IA?

Investors in Schleswig, IA typically see rents near $837/mo per month against $176K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 51461 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 51461 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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