Real Estate Investing in Nekoosa, Wisconsin (54457)

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

Wood County • Population: 8,262 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54457 (Nekoosa, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 32.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.8 — 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 Nekoosa, WI (54457)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $280,589
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,866
% Renters 13.4%

Market Analysis: 54457 Nekoosa

ZIP 54457 inside Wood County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $281K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $281K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 54457 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Looking more closely, 54457 offers a low basis, the region around Nekoosa has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 54457 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 54457 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 Nekoosa:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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
Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
5.6%
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 Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 54457

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+13.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$108,213/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $273,435 $970 2.6% +13.5% $136,717
3BR $324,640 $1,230 2.7% $108,213

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$297K$257K$216K$176K$136K$95KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54457 Compare?

Metric 54457 Nekoosa Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI Wisconsin
Home Value $280,589 $280,589 N/A $320,446
5-Year CAGR 9.0% 9.0% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 54457? 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 54457 (Nekoosa, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+9.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $280,589
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 26.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
32.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54457

Population: 8,262

💰 Median Household Income
$66,866
This area
$66,866
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.4%
This area
13.4%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.1%
This area
20.1%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.3 years
This area
55.3 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.6%
This area
32.6%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.2%
Other/Mixed 7.3%
Hispanic/Latino 6.0%
Asian 1.2%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.5%
This area
31.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
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 54457

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
24.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,711 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Alexander Middle

📚 04 – 08 School
👥
333 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Humke Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
A Very Good

Nekoosa High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
279 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
B Good

Nekoosa Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
29 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
C+ Average

Central Wisconsin STEM Academy

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
32 Students
👨‍🏫
24.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
C Below Average

WISE Academy

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
218 Students
👨‍🏫
72.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 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 1,569 Off-Campus Students
C+
Mid-State Technical College
2,918 students · 12.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,569 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nekoosa, WI a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Nekoosa, WI a 3.0/5 investability score. With $281K home prices against $873/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How much do tenants pay in Nekoosa, WI?

Expect rents around $873/mo per month in Nekoosa, WI. With home values at $281K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What approach is best for Nekoosa, WI real estate?

The best-fit strategy in Nekoosa, WI is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How tight is the rental market in Nekoosa, WI?

Vacancy risk in Nekoosa, WI is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is Nekoosa, WI suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Nekoosa, WI reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 54457 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 54457 ranks in Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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