Real Estate Investing in Brussels, Wisconsin (54204)

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

Door County • Population: 2,070 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54204 (Brussels, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 26.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 32.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Brussels, WI (54204)?

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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 $386,767
Avg Monthly Rent $1,008
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,115
% Renters 15.8%

Market Analysis: 54204 Brussels

The 54204 ZIP in Brussels, WI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $387K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 54204 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $387K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 54204 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 54204 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 54204 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 Brussels:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,008/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)

$409K$361K$313K$264K$216K$167KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54204 Compare?

Metric 54204 Brussels Wisconsin
Home Value $386,767 $386,767 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,008 $1,008 -
Cap Rate 2.0% 2.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 54204? 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 54204 (Brussels, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $386,767
Monthly Rent $1,008
Price-to-Rent 32.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.1%
Cap Rate 2.0%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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
26.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54204

Population: 2,070

💰 Median Household Income
$79,115
This area
$79,115
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.5%
This area
29.5%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
26.9%
This area
26.9%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.7%
Black/African American 3.0%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
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 54204

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$17,948 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Southern Door Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
467 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,948 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Southern Door High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,948 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Southern Door Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
209 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,948 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 strong is Brussels, WI for real estate investors?

Investors tracking Brussels, WI will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $387K median home values and $1,008/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

Is Brussels, WI a friendly market for rental owners?

Brussels, WI operates under WI law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How much rent can I charge in Brussels, WI?

Rental rates in Brussels, WI average $1,008/mo. Tenant demand and $387K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Are there empty rentals in Brussels, WI?

Vacancy risk in Brussels, WI is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What is the renter demographic in Brussels, WI?

The renter base in Brussels, WI is reasonable for the $1,008/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

You know 54204 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 54204 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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