Real Estate Investing in Durango, Iowa (52039)

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

Dubuque County • Population: 1,005 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52039 (Durango, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 34.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Durango, IA (52039)?

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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 $403,583
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $104,375
% Renters 1.5%

Market Analysis: 52039 Durango

This part of Dubuque County is not an easy win. The 52039 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 52039 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $404K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 52039 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 52039 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 52039 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Durango:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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
Dubuque, IA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
13.0%
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 Dubuque, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 52039

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$121,323/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $365,262 $1,460 2.9% +7.9% $121,754
4BR $485,290 $1,810 2.7% +7.6% $121,323

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$419K$377K$334K$291K$249K$206KFeb 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52039 Compare?

Metric 52039 Durango Dubuque, IA Iowa
Home Value $403,583 $403,583 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $981 $981 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.9% 1.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52039? 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 52039 (Durango, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Dubuque, IA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
51%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $403,583
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 34.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
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: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52039

Population: 1,005

💰 Median Household Income
$104,375
This area
$104,375
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.2 years
This area
56.2 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.8%
Asian 4.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Other/Mixed 0.7%
👶 Under 18
14.2%
This area
14.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

7 Nearby
B
Divine Word College
61 students · 7.7 mi
C+
Emmaus Bible College
197 students · 8.0 mi
C
Clarke University
1,025 students · 8.7 mi
C
University of Dubuque
1,795 students · 8.8 mi
C
Wartburg Theological Seminary
164 students · 9.2 mi
C+
Loras College
1,213 students · 9.4 mi
C
Capri College-Dubuque
153 students · 10.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Durango, IA rate as a rental market?

Durango, IA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $404K and rents near $981/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

How strong is tenant demand in Durango, IA?

Durango, IA draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $981/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is vacancy a concern in Durango, IA?

Rental vacancy in Durango, IA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is Durango, IA a good market for FHA house hackers?

Durango, IA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $981/mo rent level.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Durango, IA?

Average rent in Durango, IA is approximately $981/mo per month. Against $404K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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How 52039 ranks in Dubuque, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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