Real Estate Investing in Decorah, Iowa (52101)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52101 (Decorah, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Decorah, IA (52101)?
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Market Analysis: 52101 Decorah
ZIP 52101 in Decorah, IA carries a resilient set of headwinds. Home values near $337K and rents of $985/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The 52101 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
ZIP 52101's metrics run below Winneshiek County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Resident income in 52101 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategically, 52101 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 Decorah:
Property Strategy for 52101
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $235,033 | $720 | 2.2% | — | $235,033 |
| 2BR | $268,428 | $940 | 2.5% | +8.7% | $134,214 |
| 3BR | $311,653 | $1,240 | 2.9% | +8.3% | $103,884 |
| 4BR | $386,960 | $1,250 | 2.3% | +8.7% | $96,740 |
| 5BR | $458,596 | — | — | — | $91,719 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52101 Compare?
| Metric | 52101 | Decorah | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $336,633 | $336,633 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.3% | 6.3% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $985 | $985 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% | 2.3% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52101 (Decorah, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $336,633 |
| Monthly Rent | $985 |
| Price-to-Rent | 28.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.5% |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.3%). 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 52101
Population: 12,539
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 52101
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 1,930 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vacancy a concern in Decorah, IA?
Rental vacancy in Decorah, IA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
Is Decorah, IA good for landlords?
For rental operators, Decorah, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
How do home values compare in Decorah, IA?
Homes in Decorah, IA typically sell near $337K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which stable long-term demand.
Can I house hack in Decorah, IA?
Decorah, IA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $985/mo rent level.
What is the tenant pool like in Decorah, IA?
The tenant pool in Decorah, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $985/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
You know 52101 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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