Real Estate Investing in Fort Madison, Iowa (52627)

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

Lee County • Population: 12,585 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52627 (Fort Madison, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (74/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.5% 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 Fort Madison, IA (52627)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $111,141
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,533
% Renters 24.3%

Market Analysis: 52627 Fort Madison

ZIP 52627 inside Lee County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $111K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $909/mo on a $111K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 52627 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 52627 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 52627 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 52627 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Fort Madison:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $909/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 52627

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
13.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+4.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$33,451/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $42,357 $770 13.1% $42,357
2BR $79,902 $1,010 9.1% +3.9% $39,951
3BR $128,813 $1,330 7.4% +4.6% $42,938
4BR $147,595 $1,400 6.8% +4.5% $36,899
5BR $167,255 $33,451

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$118K$106K$93K$81K$68K$55KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52627 Compare?

Metric 52627 Fort Madison Iowa
Home Value $111,141 $130,476 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 3.0% 6.0%
Avg Rent $909 $981 -
Cap Rate 6.4% 5.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 52627? 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 52627 (Fort Madison, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.4%
Good
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $111,141
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 10.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.8%
Cap Rate 6.4%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.4%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
11.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52627

Population: 12,585

💰 Median Household Income
$56,533
This area
$56,533
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.3%
This area
24.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.5%
This area
11.5%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.0%
Black/African American 3.5%
Other/Mixed 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
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 52627

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,730 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Richardson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,730 Per Student
A Very Good

Fort Madison High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
561 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,730 Per Student
A Very Good

Fort Madison Middle School

📚 04 – 08 School
👥
686 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,730 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lincoln Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
227 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,730 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

1 Nearby 627 Off-Campus Students
C
Southeastern Community College
2,562 students · 14.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 627 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Fort Madison, IA?

Expect rents around $909/mo per month in Fort Madison, IA. With home values at $111K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What is the median home value in Fort Madison, IA?

Typical homes in Fort Madison, IA go for around $111K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Fort Madison, IA?

Rental vacancy in Fort Madison, IA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Fort Madison, IA?

Fort Madison, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What kind of market is Fort Madison, IA for investors?

Investors tracking Fort Madison, IA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $111K median home values and $909/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

You know 52627 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52627 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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How 52627 ranks in Fort Madison-Keokuk, IA-IL-MO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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