Real Estate Investing in Kenosha, Wisconsin (53140)

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

Kenosha County • Population: 30,325 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 53140 (Kenosha, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Kenosha, WI (53140)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $265,892
Avg Monthly Rent $1,851
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,496
% Renters 49.4%

Market Analysis: 53140 Kenosha

This part of Kenosha County is not an easy win. The 53140 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 53140 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Statewide comparisons place 53140 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 53140 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Kenosha's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 53140. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Kenosha:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,851/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 53140

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
6.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$50,240/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $163,254 $1,010 4.5% +8.4% $163,254
2BR $224,926 $1,310 4.2% +8.0% $112,463
3BR $255,326 $1,760 5.0% +7.7% $85,109
4BR $239,747 $2,020 6.1% +7.8% $59,937
5BR $251,202 +8.8% $50,240

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$279K$240K$201K$162K$123K$84KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,919$1,721$1,523$1,325$1,127$929Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 53140 Compare?

Metric 53140 Kenosha Wisconsin
Home Value $265,892 $86,663 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 6.8% 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,851 $1,703 -
Cap Rate 5.4% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 53140? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 49% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53140 (Kenosha, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 53140 (Kenosha, WI)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $265,892
Monthly Rent $1,851
Price-to-Rent 12.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 12.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +36.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +15.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 53140

Population: 30,325

💰 Median Household Income
$55,496
This area
$55,496
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.4%
This area
49.4%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.3%
This area
26.3%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.2 years
This area
34.2 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 73.6%
Other/Mixed 14.6%
Black/African American 10.2%
Hispanic/Latino 9.4%
Asian 1.4%
👶 Under 18
19.2%
This area
19.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.2%
This area
16.2%
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 53140

B+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,612 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Frank Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
371 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
A Very Good

Washington Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
352 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
A Very Good

Bose Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
256 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
A Very Good

Edward Bain School - Creative Arts

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
361 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Harborside Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
611 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Jefferson Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
221 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Grant Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Reuther Central High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
353 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Harvey Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
274 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 Per Student
B Good

Edward Bain School - Dual Language

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,612 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

8 Nearby 5,231 Off-Campus Students
C+
Carthage College
2,771 students · 0.5 mi
C+
Gateway Technical College
10,134 students · 1.3 mi
D
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Flex
143 students · 2.2 mi
C+
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
4,008 students · 2.3 mi
D
Herzing University-Kenosha
545 students · 2.6 mi
C
Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-Racine
47 students · 4.3 mi
C
The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha
95 students · 4.4 mi
C+
Shepherds College
91 students · 12.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,231 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Kenosha, WI?

Homes in Kenosha, WI typically sell near $266K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

Are tenants stable in Kenosha, WI?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Kenosha, WI. The rental market absorbs $1,851/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What is the best play in Kenosha, WI?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Kenosha, WI. The numbers - $266K homes against $1,851/mo rents - support that play.

Does Kenosha, WI favor landlords or tenants?

Kenosha, WI falls under WI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Kenosha, WI?

Rental vacancy in Kenosha, WI is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

You know 53140 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 53140 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.

Compare Plans

How 53140 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 53140 (Kenosha)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 53140 (Kenosha, WI).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.