Real Estate Investing in Riverton, Iowa (51650)

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

Fremont County • Population: 189 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51650 (Riverton, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 30.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Riverton, IA (51650)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $117,794
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,000
% Renters 14.2%

Market Analysis: 51650 Riverton

ZIP 51650 in Riverton, IA carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $118K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $828/mo on a $118K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 51650 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 51650 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 51650 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 51650, 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 Riverton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$123K$112K$100K$89K$77K$66KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51650 Compare?

Metric 51650 Riverton Iowa
Home Value $117,794 $117,794 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 5.5% 5.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 51650? 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 51650 (Riverton, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $117,794
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 11.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.5%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
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: 5.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.5%). 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
30.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51650

Population: 189

💰 Median Household Income
$50,000
This area
$50,000
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.2%
This area
14.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.3 years
This area
50.3 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.2%
This area
30.2%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.3%
Other/Mixed 13.7%
👶 Under 18
13.7%
This area
13.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
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 price range are homes in Riverton, IA?

Expect median prices around $118K in Riverton, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

What type of investing works in Riverton, IA?

For Riverton, IA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

What are vacancy rates like in Riverton, IA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Riverton, IA. Rents at $828/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is rental property easy to operate in Riverton, IA?

Riverton, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Are rents high in Riverton, IA?

The typical rental in Riverton, IA commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $118K purchase basis.

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