Real Estate Investing in Blairstown, Iowa (52209)

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

Benton County • Population: 1,043 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52209 (Blairstown, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Blairstown, IA (52209)?

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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 $258,210
Avg Monthly Rent $900
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,500
% Renters 21.4%

Market Analysis: 52209 Blairstown

The 52209 ZIP covers a section of Blairstown that demands careful diligence. Prices near $258K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $900/mo on a $258K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 52209 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 52209 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 52209 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 52209, 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 Blairstown:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $900/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Cedar Rapids, IA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
41 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.2%
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 Cedar Rapids, IA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$267K$242K$218K$194K$169K$145KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52209 Compare?

Metric 52209 Blairstown Cedar Rapids, IA Iowa
Home Value $258,210 $294,206 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 5.5% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $900 $909 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52209? 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 52209 (Blairstown, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Cedar Rapids, IA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
1/2
41 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $258,210
Monthly Rent $900
Price-to-Rent 23.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
5.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52209

Population: 1,043

💰 Median Household Income
$70,500
This area
$70,500
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.5 years
This area
38.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.6%
Other/Mixed 8.7%
Hispanic/Latino 7.4%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
23.6%
This area
23.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
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

Does Blairstown, IA favor landlords or tenants?

Blairstown, IA operates under IA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect measured treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the investability score for Blairstown, IA?

Yes - Blairstown, IA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $258K home prices against $900/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the typical renter like in Blairstown, IA?

Blairstown, IA offers a stable renter base at the $900/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Where do rents currently stand in Blairstown, IA?

Investors in Blairstown, IA typically see rents near $900/mo per month against $258K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How much does a house cost in Blairstown, IA?

In Blairstown, IA the median home value sits at $258K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 52209 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 52209 ranks in Cedar Rapids, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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