Real Estate Investing in Princeton, Minnesota (55371)

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

Sherburne County • Population: 17,376 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55371 (Princeton, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Princeton, MN (55371)?

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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 $379,972
Avg Monthly Rent $1,275
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $89,238
% Renters 16.8%

Market Analysis: 55371 Princeton

This part of Sherburne County is not an easy win. The 55371 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 55371 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $380K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Turning to rents, 55371 offers a low basis, the region around Princeton has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

A significant renter share of 17% in 55371 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 55371 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 Princeton:

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 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,275/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 55371

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$96,368/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $320,267 $1,520 3.4% +6.4% $160,134
3BR $382,940 $2,020 3.8% +6.9% $127,647
4BR $415,513 $2,270 3.9% +6.9% $103,878
5BR $481,839 +7.2% $96,368

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$401K$341K$281K$220K$160K$100KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 55371 Compare?

Metric 55371 Princeton Minnesota
Home Value $379,972 $379,972 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.4% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,275 $1,275 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 55371? 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 55371 (Princeton, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $379,972
Monthly Rent $1,275
Price-to-Rent 24.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
5.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55371

Population: 17,376

💰 Median Household Income
$89,238
This area
$89,238
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.6 years
This area
39.6 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.8%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 0.6%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
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 55371

C+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,934 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Princeton Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
656 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,934 Per Student
B Good

Princeton Intermediate School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
686 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,934 Per Student
B Good

Princeton Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
739 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,934 Per Student
C+ Average

Princeton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
974 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,934 Per Student
C Below Average

Princeton Online MN

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
46 Students
💰
$13,934 Per Student
C Below Average

Early Childhood Special Education

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
73 Students
💰
$13,934 Per Student
C Below Average

Onward Transition Program

📚 Grade 12 High School
👥
11 Students
💰
$13,934 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Credit Recovery

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
3 Students
💰
$13,934 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Princeton Area Learning Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
29 Students
💰
$13,934 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 median home value in Princeton, MN?

Princeton, MN home values average about $380K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,275/mo in monthly income.

What does house hacking look like in Princeton, MN?

House hacking in Princeton, MN is reasonable to execute. Prices around $380K and rents of $1,275/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How deep is the rental pool in Princeton, MN?

Princeton, MN draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,275/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Does Princeton, MN favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Princeton, MN rates as balanced. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What kind of market is Princeton, MN for investors?

Princeton, MN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $380K and rents near $1,275/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 55371 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55371 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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