Real Estate Investing in Ashland, Wisconsin (54806)

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

Ashland County • Population: 11,708 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54806 (Ashland, 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: 11.6% 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 Ashland, WI (54806)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $205,305
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,429
% Renters 30.3%

Market Analysis: 54806 Ashland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Ashland's 54806 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $205K pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 54806 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Ashland have seen price recovery that 54806 has not matched. Ashland County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 54806 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The 54806 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Ashland:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 54806

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$59,655/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $166,779 $1,020 4.4% +9.5% $83,390
3BR $216,048 $1,400 4.7% +9.1% $72,016
4BR $238,620 $1,640 4.9% +8.9% $59,655

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$217K$193K$169K$145K$121K$97KOct 2008Sep 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54806 Compare?

Metric 54806 Ashland Wisconsin
Home Value $205,305 $205,305 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 5.0% 7.3%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 54806? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54806 (Ashland, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $205,305
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 18.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 8.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
11.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54806

Population: 11,708

💰 Median Household Income
$58,429
This area
$58,429
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.8 years
This area
40.8 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.6%
This area
11.6%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.6%
Other/Mixed 15.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Black/African American 1.6%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
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 54806

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,329 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Ashland High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
609 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,329 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lake Superior Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
599 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,329 Per Student
A Very Good

Ashland Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
366 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,329 Per Student
B Good

Marengo Valley Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
190 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,329 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
C
Northland College
485 students · 2.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of investing works in Ashland, WI?

Ashland, WI investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($205K prices, $918/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What are vacancy rates like in Ashland, WI?

Rental vacancy in Ashland, WI is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Ashland, WI?

Expect rents around $918/mo per month in Ashland, WI. With home values at $205K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Are landlord laws favorable in Ashland, WI?

WI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Ashland generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Are renters plentiful in Ashland, WI?

The renter base in Ashland, WI is reasonable for the $918/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

You know 54806 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 54806 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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