Real Estate Investing in Marengo, Wisconsin (54855)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 54855 (Marengo, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High vacancy: 20.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Marengo, WI (54855)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 54855 Marengo
On the rental side, ZIP 54855 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $224K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
The investment case in 54855 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $224K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Within WI, ZIP 54855 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Ashland County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
From an investor standpoint, 896 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
trends toward 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 Marengo:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 54855 Compare?
| Metric | 54855 | Marengo | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $223,953 | $223,953 | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $873 | $873 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% | 3.0% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54855 (Marengo, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $223,953 |
| Monthly Rent | $873 |
| Price-to-Rent | 21.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.7% |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +9.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 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 (3.0%). 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.
Demographics in 54855
Population: 896
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
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
How do home values compare in Marengo, WI?
In Marengo, WI the median home value sits at $224K. Against the broader WI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Is the tenant base reliable in Marengo, WI?
Tenant demand in Marengo, WI is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.
Is Marengo, WI a friendly market for rental owners?
Marengo, WI falls under WI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Marengo, WI?
Marengo, WI is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $224K price point reasonable to enter.
What type of investing works in Marengo, WI?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Marengo, WI. With home values at $224K and rents near $873/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.
You know 54855 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 54855 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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