Real Estate Investing in Worthington, Iowa (52078)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52078 (Worthington, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 32.7 — 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 Worthington, IA (52078)?
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Market Analysis: 52078 Worthington
The 52078 ZIP covers a section of Worthington that demands careful diligence. Prices near $325K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 52078 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
ZIP 52078's metrics run below Dubuque County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Who lives in 52078 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategically, 52078 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Worthington:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52078 Compare?
| Metric | 52078 | Worthington | Dubuque, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $324,620 | $324,620 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.8% | 6.8% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $828 | $828 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% | 2.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52078 (Worthington, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $324,620 |
| Monthly Rent | $828 |
| Price-to-Rent | 32.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +8.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 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 |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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.
Demographics in 52078
Population: 805
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do home prices stand in Worthington, IA?
Worthington, IA home values average about $325K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.
How much rent can I charge in Worthington, IA?
Rents in Worthington, IA run near $828/mo. Compared with median home prices of $325K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
How do experienced investors play Worthington, IA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Worthington, IA. The numbers - $325K homes against $828/mo rents - support that play.
What are vacancy rates like in Worthington, IA?
Worthington, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Worthington, IA?
IA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Worthington generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
You know 52078 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52078 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.
How 52078 ranks in Dubuque, IA
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