Real Estate Investing in Carson, Iowa (51525)

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

Pottawattamie County • Population: 977 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51525 (Carson, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Carson, IA (51525)?

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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 $263,394
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,173
% Renters 20.2%

Market Analysis: 51525 Carson

The 51525 ZIP covers a section of Carson that demands careful diligence. Prices near $263K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 51525 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $263K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within IA, ZIP 51525 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pottawattamie County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

The 51525 ZIP's population of 977 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 51525, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Carson:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$278K$239K$201K$163K$124K$86KJul 2008Jul 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51525 Compare?

Metric 51525 Carson Iowa
Home Value $263,394 $263,394 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 6.0%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 51525? 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 51525 (Carson, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $263,394
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 25.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
0.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51525

Population: 977

💰 Median Household Income
$73,173
This area
$73,173
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.2%
This area
20.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.8%
This area
25.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.4 years
This area
46.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.2%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.8%
This area
25.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
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 51525

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,087 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Carson Elementary

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
136 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,087 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

How does Carson, IA rate as a rental market?

Carson, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $263K and rents near $864/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How deep is the rental pool in Carson, IA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Carson, IA. The rental market absorbs $864/mo rents without meaningful friction.

How strong are rents in Carson, IA?

The typical rental in Carson, IA commands about $864/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $263K purchase basis.

How should investors approach Carson, IA?

In Carson, IA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $263K prices and $864/mo rents suits that approach.

What are vacancy rates like in Carson, IA?

Vacancy in Carson, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $864/mo.

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How 51525 ranks in Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA

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