Real Estate Investing in Clear Lake, Wisconsin (54005)

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

Polk County • Population: 3,222 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54005 (Clear Lake, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.5% 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 Clear Lake, WI (54005)?

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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 $312,140
Avg Monthly Rent $1,368
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,595
% Renters 17.5%

Market Analysis: 54005 Clear Lake

The 54005 ZIP in Clear Lake, WI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $312K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $312K asset, 54005 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 54005 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Put differently, 3,222 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 54005 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 Clear Lake:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,368/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$329K$280K$231K$183K$134K$85KOct 2008Sep 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54005 Compare?

Metric 54005 Clear Lake Wisconsin
Home Value $312,140 $312,140 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,368 $1,368 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 54005? 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 54005 (Clear Lake, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $312,140
Monthly Rent $1,368
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
8.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54005

Population: 3,222

💰 Median Household Income
$79,595
This area
$79,595
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.5%
This area
17.5%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.0 years
This area
41.0 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.2%
Other/Mixed 7.6%
Hispanic/Latino 3.8%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
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 54005

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.7:1 Avg Class Size
$18,565 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Gaylord A Nelson Educational Center

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
269 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,565 Per Student
A Very Good

Clear Lake High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
198 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,565 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Clear Lake Junior High

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
74 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,565 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

How strict are landlord regulations in Clear Lake, WI?

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

What is the average monthly rent in Clear Lake, WI?

The typical rental in Clear Lake, WI commands about $1,368/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $312K purchase basis.

What kind of tenants rent in Clear Lake, WI?

Tenant demand in Clear Lake, WI is solid. The local workforce $1,368/mo rents across most rental classes.

How do experienced investors play Clear Lake, WI?

For Clear Lake, WI, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How expensive is real estate in Clear Lake, WI?

Homes in Clear Lake, WI typically sell near $312K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

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How 54005 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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