Real Estate Investing in Mountain Iron, Minnesota (55768)

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

Saint Louis County • Population: 2,791 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55768 (Mountain Iron, 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.

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

What’s happening in Mountain Iron, MN (55768)?

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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 $215,392
Avg Monthly Rent $1,017
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,023
% Renters 27.7%

Market Analysis: 55768 Mountain Iron

ZIP 55768 inside Saint Louis County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $215K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 55768 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $215K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Mountain Iron have seen price recovery that 55768 has not matched. Saint Louis County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 55768 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 55768, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Mountain Iron:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,017/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Duluth, MN-WI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 55768

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$73,662/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $171,244 $1,130 4.8% +6.8% $85,622
3BR $231,452 $1,550 4.8% +7.0% $77,151
4BR $294,648 $1,900 4.6% +5.7% $73,662

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$225K$198K$171K$144K$118K$91KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55768 Compare?

Metric 55768 Mountain Iron Duluth, MN-WI Minnesota
Home Value $215,392 $245,011 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.8% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,017 $981 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 55768? 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 55768 (Mountain Iron, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $215,392
Monthly Rent $1,017
Price-to-Rent 17.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
6.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55768

Population: 2,791

💰 Median Household Income
$66,023
This area
$66,023
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.7%
This area
27.7%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.7%
This area
25.7%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.0 years
This area
51.0 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.4%
Other/Mixed 4.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Black/African American 0.2%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.4%
This area
25.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
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 55768

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$21,070 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

MERRITT ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,582 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
259 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,582 Per Student
B+ Above Average

EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
149 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,047 Per Student
C Below Average

NORTHEAST SERVICE COOPERATIVE OLL

📚 07 – 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

1 Nearby 833 Off-Campus Students
C
Minnesota North College
3,020 students · 13.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 833 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Mountain Iron, MN?

Expect rents around $1,017/mo per month in Mountain Iron, MN. With home values at $215K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Mountain Iron, MN?

Mountain Iron, MN carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,017/mo.

Does Mountain Iron, MN make sense for an investment property?

Mountain Iron, MN records an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $215K and average rents around $1,017/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

Is housing expensive in Mountain Iron, MN?

Typical homes in Mountain Iron, MN go for around $215K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% predictable price movement.

Does house hacking work in Mountain Iron, MN?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Mountain Iron, MN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 55768 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55768 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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