Real Estate Investing in Poplar, Wisconsin (54864)

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

Douglas County • Population: 1,534 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54864 (Poplar, 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: 13.1% 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 Poplar, WI (54864)?

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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 $323,389
Avg Monthly Rent $1,206
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $78,000
% Renters 4.6%

Market Analysis: 54864 Poplar

The 54864 ZIP in Poplar, WI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $323K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $323K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 54864 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within WI, ZIP 54864 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Douglas County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 54864 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Poplar averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 54864 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 Poplar:

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 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,206/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
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 Duluth, MN-WI metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$342K$296K$249K$203K$157K$110KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54864 Compare?

Metric 54864 Poplar Duluth, MN-WI Wisconsin
Home Value $323,389 $323,389 N/A $320,446
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,206 $1,206 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 54864? 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 54864 (Poplar, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $323,389
Monthly Rent $1,206
Price-to-Rent 22.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
13.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54864

Population: 1,534

💰 Median Household Income
$78,000
This area
$78,000
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.6%
This area
4.6%
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
43.7 years
This area
43.7 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.0%
Other/Mixed 8.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.5%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.6%
This area
11.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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 54864

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
17.1:1 Avg Class Size
$16,479 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Northwestern Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
502 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,479 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northwestern Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
282 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,479 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical renter like in Poplar, WI?

The renter base in Poplar, WI is reasonable for the $1,206/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Poplar, WI?

Rental owners in Poplar, WI deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Poplar, WI?

Poplar, WI home values average about $323K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,206/mo in monthly income.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Poplar, WI?

Poplar, WI is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $323K price point reasonable to enter.

How strong are rents in Poplar, WI?

Expect rents around $1,206/mo per month in Poplar, WI. With home values at $323K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

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How 54864 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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