Real Estate Investing in Gays Mills, Wisconsin (54631)

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

Crawford • Population: 1,828 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54631 (Gays Mills, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 25.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Gays Mills, WI (54631)?

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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 $266,161
Avg Monthly Rent $900
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,818
% Renters 23.0%

Market Analysis: 54631 Gays Mills

ZIP 54631 inside Crawford looks affordable on the surface — median value of $266K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 54631 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $266K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Gays Mills have seen price recovery that 54631 has not matched. Crawford data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 54631 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 54631 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 Gays Mills:

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 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $900/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)

$281K$244K$207K$170K$132K$95KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54631 Compare?

Metric 54631 Gays Mills Wisconsin
Home Value $266,161 $266,161 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% 7.3%
Avg Rent $900 $900 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 54631? 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 54631 (Gays Mills, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $266,161
Monthly Rent $900
Price-to-Rent 24.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
25.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54631

Population: 1,828

💰 Median Household Income
$61,818
This area
$61,818
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.5%
This area
18.5%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.0 years
This area
50.0 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.1%
Other/Mixed 6.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Black/African American 2.0%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
18.7%
This area
18.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Gays Mills, WI?

Gays Mills, WI carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $900/mo.

What kind of tenants rent in Gays Mills, WI?

Gays Mills, WI offers a stable renter base at the $900/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What is the investability score for Gays Mills, WI?

Gays Mills, WI reports an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $266K and average rents around $900/mo. That combination puts it in the significant tier for investor interest.

How do experienced investors play Gays Mills, WI?

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

What do rentals go for in Gays Mills, WI?

Rental rates in Gays Mills, WI average $900/mo. Tenant demand and $266K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

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