Real Estate Investing in Afton, Minnesota (55001)

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

Washington County • Population: 2,956 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55001 (Afton, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 38.6 — 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 Afton, MN (55001)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $737,383
Avg Monthly Rent $1,593
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $124,423
% Renters 2.1%

Market Analysis: 55001 Afton

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Afton's 55001 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $737K pricing implies.

The 55001 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 55001 and stronger Afton ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 55001 ZIP's population of 2,956 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 55001 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Afton:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,593/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 55001

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$192,888/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $574,523 $1,770 2.2% +5.6% $287,261
3BR $634,573 $2,350 2.7% +6.0% $211,524
4BR $772,675 $2,620 2.4% +5.8% $193,169
5BR $964,440 +6.6% $192,888

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$770K$676K$582K$488K$395K$301KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55001 Compare?

Metric 55001 Afton Minnesota
Home Value $737,383 $737,383 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,593 $1,593 -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% -
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 55001 (Afton, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 55001 (Afton, MN)?

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $737,383
Monthly Rent $1,593
Price-to-Rent 38.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55001

Population: 2,956

💰 Median Household Income
$124,423
This area
$124,423
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
57.2%
This area
57.2%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.5 years
This area
50.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.9%
Other/Mixed 5.1%
Asian 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.5%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.9%
This area
23.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 5,505 Off-Campus Students
C
Nova Academy of Cosmetology Woodbury
56 students · 7.7 mi
C+
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
5,064 students · 10.2 mi
C
Hastings Beauty School
11 students · 10.9 mi
C
Century College
8,248 students · 12.5 mi
C
Inver Hills Community College
3,689 students · 12.6 mi
C
Metropolitan State University
6,005 students · 13.0 mi
C+
The Salon Professional Academy Maplewood
73 students · 13.1 mi
D
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Office
0 students · 13.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,505 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Afton, MN?

Most investors in Afton, MN run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Afton, MN?

Average rent in Afton, MN is approximately $1,593/mo per month. Against $737K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How high is vacancy risk in Afton, MN?

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

What is it like being a landlord in Afton, MN?

MN ranks as a balanced state for landlord-tenant law. Afton generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Are homes affordable in Afton, MN?

Afton, MN median home values land near $737K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,593/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 55001 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55001 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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