Real Estate Investing in Darwin, Minnesota (55324)

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

Meeker County • Population: 1,193 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55324 (Darwin, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 33.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 37.9 — 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 Darwin, MN (55324)?

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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 $396,700
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,837
% Renters 5.5%

Market Analysis: 55324 Darwin

The 55324 ZIP covers a section of Darwin that demands careful diligence. Prices near $397K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $397K asset, 55324 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MN picture, 55324 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 55324 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

leans 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.

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 Darwin:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$416K$360K$303K$247K$190K$133KOct 2011Mar 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55324 Compare?

Metric 55324 Darwin Minnesota
Home Value $396,700 $396,700 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.0% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 55324? 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 55324 (Darwin, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $396,700
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 37.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 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
33.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55324

Population: 1,193

💰 Median Household Income
$79,837
This area
$79,837
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.0%
This area
26.0%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.6 years
This area
52.6 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
33.9%
This area
33.9%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.0%
Other/Mixed 5.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.2%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.3%
This area
27.3%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Darwin, MN?

Rental rates in Darwin, MN average $873/mo. Tenant demand and $397K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How strong is the working-renter base in Darwin, MN?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Darwin, MN. The rental market absorbs $873/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Darwin in MN worth investing in?

Yes - Darwin, MN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $397K home prices against $873/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What does house hacking look like in Darwin, MN?

House hacking in Darwin, MN is a challenging. With home values around $397K and rents at $873/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Darwin, MN?

Vacancy risk in Darwin, MN is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

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