Real Estate Investing in Epworth, Iowa (52045)

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

Dubuque • Population: 2,872 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52045 (Epworth, 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 31.1 — 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 Epworth, IA (52045)?

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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 $332,129
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $81,300
% Renters 20.6%

Market Analysis: 52045 Epworth

Investors eyeing 52045 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $332K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 52045 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within IA, ZIP 52045 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Dubuque submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 52045 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Epworth's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 52045. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Epworth:

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 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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 52045

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$94,184/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $225,029 $990 3.2% +6.9% $112,514
3BR $299,670 $1,330 3.2% +6.9% $99,890
4BR $376,735 $1,660 3.2% +7.3% $94,184

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$346K$306K$266K$226K$186K$145KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52045 Compare?

Metric 52045 Epworth Iowa
Home Value $332,129 $332,129 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 6.0%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 52045? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52045 (Epworth, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $332,129
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 31.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
1.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52045

Population: 2,872

💰 Median Household Income
$81,300
This area
$81,300
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.3 years
This area
33.3 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.0%
Other/Mixed 0.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
29.4%
This area
29.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
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

🎓 Schools in 52045

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$12,535 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Epworth Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
374 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,535 Per Student
B Good

Western Dubuque High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
897 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,535 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

7 Nearby
B
Divine Word College
61 students · 0.9 mi
C+
Emmaus Bible College
197 students · 12.1 mi
C
Wartburg Theological Seminary
164 students · 12.4 mi
C
University of Dubuque
1,795 students · 12.5 mi
C
Clarke University
1,025 students · 12.8 mi
C+
Loras College
1,213 students · 13.3 mi
C
Capri College-Dubuque
153 students · 13.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Epworth, IA stack up for property investment?

Epworth, IA records an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $332K and average rents around $891/mo. That combination puts it in the robust tier for investor interest.

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

Typical homes in Epworth, IA go for around $332K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

How much do tenants pay in Epworth, IA?

Rent in Epworth, IA is around $891/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $332K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Are there empty rentals in Epworth, IA?

Vacancy in Epworth, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $891/mo.

Is IA a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Epworth, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

You know 52045 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52045 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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