Real Estate Investing in Watertown, Wisconsin (53094)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 18,151 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 53094 (Watertown, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Watertown, WI (53094)?

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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 $326,433
Avg Monthly Rent $1,128
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,883
% Renters 35.1%

Market Analysis: 53094 Watertown

Investors eyeing 53094 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $326K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 53094 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $326K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Watertown have seen price recovery that 53094 has not matched. Jefferson County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A significant renter share of 35% in 53094 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 53094 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $326K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Watertown:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,128/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.3%
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 Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 53094

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$92,438/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $243,175 $1,170 3.5% +8.0% $121,588
3BR $305,466 $1,550 3.7% +8.2% $101,822
4BR $369,753 $1,550 3.0% +8.2% $92,438

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$341K$298K$254K$211K$167K$123KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,175$1,143$1,112$1,080$1,049$1,017Feb 2026Apr 2026Jun 2026

📊 How Does 53094 Compare?

Metric 53094 Watertown Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI Wisconsin
Home Value $326,433 $334,065 N/A $320,446
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 7.0% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,128 $1,151 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 53094? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 35% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53094 (Watertown, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $326,433
Monthly Rent $1,128
Price-to-Rent 24.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 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
3.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 53094

Population: 18,151

💰 Median Household Income
$71,883
This area
$71,883
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.1%
This area
35.1%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.6%
This area
22.6%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.1 years
This area
39.1 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.6%
Other/Mixed 6.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
Black/African American 0.4%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
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 53094

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
25.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,547 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Schurz Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
236 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 Per Student
A Very Good

Riverside Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
649 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 Per Student
A Very Good

Webster Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lincoln Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
146 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 Per Student
C+ Average

eCampus Academy Charter School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
142 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 Per Student
C Below Average

Watertown 4 Kids

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
172 Students
👨‍🏫
86.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,547 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
C+
Maranatha Baptist University
977 students · 3.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What approach is best for Watertown, WI real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Watertown, WI. The numbers - $326K homes against $1,128/mo rents - support that play.

What is the typical rental rate in Watertown, WI?

The typical rental in Watertown, WI commands about $1,128/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $326K purchase basis.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Watertown, WI?

Expect median prices around $326K in Watertown, WI. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Does house hacking work in Watertown, WI?

House hacking in Watertown, WI is reasonable to execute. Prices around $326K and rents of $1,128/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Watertown, WI?

Watertown, WI vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 53094 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 53094 ranks in Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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