Real Estate Investing in North Branch, Minnesota (55056)

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

Chisago County • Population: 14,279 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55056 (North Branch, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in North Branch, MN (55056)?

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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 $360,916
Avg Monthly Rent $1,368
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $94,631
% Renters 13.4%

Market Analysis: 55056 North Branch

The 55056 ZIP covers a section of North Branch that demands careful diligence. Prices near $361K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $361K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 55056 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 55056 sits on the difficult end of the MN spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 55056 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 55056 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 North Branch:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,368/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 55056

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+6.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$87,455/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $308,591 $1,520 3.5% +6.0% $154,295
3BR $347,659 $2,020 4.2% +6.1% $115,886
4BR $395,847 $2,270 4.1% +6.6% $98,962
5BR $437,274 +6.6% $87,455

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$381K$327K$272K$218K$164K$109KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55056 Compare?

Metric 55056 North Branch Minnesota
Home Value $360,916 $360,916 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 3.3% 3.3% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,368 $1,368 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 55056? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 55056 (North Branch, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $360,916
Monthly Rent $1,368
Price-to-Rent 22.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
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: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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.

Vacancy
3.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55056

Population: 14,279

💰 Median Household Income
$94,631
This area
$94,631
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.4%
This area
13.4%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.4%
This area
20.4%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.8 years
This area
40.8 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.0%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Asian 1.9%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.2%
This area
15.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
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 55056

C+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
17.2:1 Avg Class Size
$14,692 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

North Branch Area Education Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
226 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sunrise River Elementary School

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
945 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
B Good

North Branch Area Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
633 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
B Good

North Branch Area High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
815 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
B Good

Norse Area Learning Center

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
52 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
C+ Average

Chisago County Schools' Life Work C

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Distance Learning Academy Secondary

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
65 Students
👨‍🏫
23.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
C+ Average

Distance Learning Acadmy Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
👥
8 Students
💰
$15,312 Per Student
C Below Average

Phoenix Academy Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
164 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$10,352 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
D
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School
159 students · 11.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical home price in North Branch, MN?

The median home value in North Branch, MN is roughly $361K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MN statewide average.

Are tenants stable in North Branch, MN?

The tenant pool in North Branch, MN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,368/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What do landlords charge for rent in North Branch, MN?

Investors in North Branch, MN typically see rents near $1,368/mo per month against $361K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is North Branch, MN landlord-friendly?

The landlord environment in North Branch, MN is balanced. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How do experienced investors play North Branch, MN?

North Branch, MN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($361K prices, $1,368/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 55056 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55056 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

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