Real Estate Investing in Donnellson, Iowa (52625)

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

Lee • Population: 2,303 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52625 (Donnellson, 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Donnellson, IA (52625)?

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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 $226,813
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,352
% Renters 15.6%

Market Analysis: 52625 Donnellson

ZIP 52625 in Donnellson, IA carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $227K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 52625 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $227K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 52625's metrics run below Lee's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A sturdy renter share of 16% in 52625 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 52625 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.

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 Donnellson:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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 52625

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.3% cap rate
Best Overall Value
4BR
$53,351/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $166,474 $920 4.0% $83,237
3BR $219,823 $1,210 4.0% $73,274
4BR $213,405 $1,270 4.3% $53,351

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$240K$208K$176K$144K$113K$81KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52625 Compare?

Metric 52625 Donnellson Iowa
Home Value $226,813 $226,813 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 52625? 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 52625 (Donnellson, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 52625 (Donnellson, IA)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $226,813
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52625

Population: 2,303

💰 Median Household Income
$73,352
This area
$73,352
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.5%
Black/African American 1.2%
Other/Mixed 1.2%
👶 Under 18
24.0%
This area
24.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
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 52625

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
17.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,994 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Central Lee High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
318 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,994 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Central Lee Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
672 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,994 Per Student
B Good

Central Lee Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
280 Students
👨‍🏫
20.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,994 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Donnellson, IA?

Typical homes in Donnellson, IA go for around $227K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Donnellson, IA?

Tenant demand in Donnellson, IA is solid. The local workforce $828/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is rental property easy to operate in Donnellson, IA?

The landlord environment in Donnellson, IA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Does house hacking work in Donnellson, IA?

House hacking works a challenging in Donnellson, IA. Rents of $828/mo against $227K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the best play in Donnellson, IA?

Donnellson, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($227K prices, $828/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 52625 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52625 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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