Real Estate Investing in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (54235)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 54235 (Sturgeon Bay, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 28.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.2 — 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 Sturgeon Bay, WI (54235)?
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Market Analysis: 54235 Sturgeon Bay
From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 54235 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $381K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $381K asset, 54235 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Nearby ZIPs in Sturgeon Bay have seen price recovery that 54235 has not matched. Door County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
A significant renter share of 20% in 54235 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Sturgeon Bay:
Property Strategy for 54235
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $352,616 | $1,130 | 2.3% | +11.3% | $176,308 |
| 3BR | $416,453 | $1,370 | 2.4% | +10.7% | $138,818 |
| 4BR | $487,173 | $1,500 | 2.2% | +11.5% | $121,793 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 54235 Compare?
| Metric | 54235 | Sturgeon Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $381,211 | $381,211 | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.3% | 7.3% | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,017 | $1,017 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% | 2.1% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54235 (Sturgeon Bay, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $381,211 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,017 |
| Price-to-Rent | 31.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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.
Demographics in 54235
Population: 17,845
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 54235
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
What investment strategy works best in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
In Sturgeon Bay, WI the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $381K prices and $1,017/mo rents suits that approach.
What are rental rates like in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Rental rates in Sturgeon Bay, WI average $1,017/mo. Tenant demand and $381K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Is vacancy a concern in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Expect elevated vacancy in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Rents at $1,017/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
Is Sturgeon Bay, WI a friendly market for rental owners?
For rental operators, Sturgeon Bay, WI rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
How strong is the working-renter base in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Tenant demand in Sturgeon Bay, WI is solid. The local workforce $1,017/mo rents across most rental classes.
You know 54235 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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