Real Estate Investing in Orono, Minnesota (55356)

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

Hennepin County • Population: 5,924 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55356 (Orono, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

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 price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Orono, MN (55356)?

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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 $816,765
Avg Monthly Rent $2,465
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $166,875
% Renters 13.3%

Market Analysis: 55356 Orono

Meanwhile, ZIP 55356 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $817K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 55356 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 55356's metrics run below Hennepin County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 55356 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 55356 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Orono:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,465/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 55356

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$179,463/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $399,992 $2,190 3.9% +3.6% $199,996
3BR $538,389 $2,900 3.9% +4.5% $179,463
4BR $963,162 $3,240 2.4% +7.1% $240,791
5BR $1,558,802 +7.9% $311,760

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$851K$751K$650K$550K$449K$348KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,683$2,636$2,589$2,543$2,496$2,449Mar 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55356 Compare?

Metric 55356 Orono Minnesota
Home Value $816,765 $816,765 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,465 $2,465 -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 55356? 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 55356 (Orono, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Hennepin County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

JJS Property Management of Central Minnesota offers a wide choice of apartments in various areas including Avon, Buffalo, Milaca, Monticello, Royalton, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, and St. Joseph. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

MGM Property Management, LLC provides property management services for rental properties, homeowner associations, and commercial tenants in the Twin Cities, Rochester, and St. Cloud areas. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamilyCommercialHOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Simply Residential Property Management offers expert management of single-family, condominiums, and multi-family dwellings throughout the Twin Cities. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $816,765
Monthly Rent $2,465
Price-to-Rent 27.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
3.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55356

Population: 5,924

💰 Median Household Income
$166,875
This area
$166,875
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.3%
This area
13.3%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
62.3%
This area
62.3%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.5%
Other/Mixed 8.3%
Hispanic/Latino 5.3%
Asian 3.6%
Black/African American 1.6%
👶 Under 18
29.6%
This area
29.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.2%
This area
15.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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 55356

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,327 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

ORONO INTERMEDIATE ELEMENTARY

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
650 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,327 Per Student
A+ Excellent

SCHUMANN ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
617 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,327 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ORONO MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
704 Students
👨‍🏫
19.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,327 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ORONO SENIOR HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
945 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,327 Per Student
B Good

Orono Online Learning

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$18,327 Per Student
C Below Average

Orono HS ALC

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Orono HS IS

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

8 Nearby 3,209 Off-Campus Students
C
PCI Academy-Plymouth
114 students · 4.6 mi
C
Herzing University-Minneapolis
752 students · 9.0 mi
C
Crown College
1,727 students · 10.8 mi
C
Adler Graduate School
245 students · 11.1 mi
C
Hennepin Technical College
3,891 students · 11.5 mi
C
North Hennepin Community College
5,195 students · 12.9 mi
C
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center
270 students · 14.4 mi
C
Dunwoody College of Technology
1,424 students · 14.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,209 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does house hacking make sense in Orono, MN?

House hacking in Orono, MN is reasonable to execute. Prices around $817K and rents of $2,465/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Are tenants stable in Orono, MN?

Working renters make up the core of the Orono, MN tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What is the average home sale price in Orono, MN?

Expect median prices around $817K in Orono, MN. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

Is real estate in Orono, MN a good investment right now?

Orono, MN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $817K and rents near $2,465/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is rental property easy to operate in Orono, MN?

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

You know 55356 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55356 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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How 55356 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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