Real Estate Investing in Duluth, Minnesota (55802)

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

Saint Louis County • Population: 2,560 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55802 (Duluth, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
  • Lower household income: $38,889 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Duluth, MN (55802)?

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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 $488,900
Avg Monthly Rent $1,605
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $38,889
% Renters 68.7%

Market Analysis: 55802 Duluth

ZIP 55802 in Duluth, MN carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $489K and rents of $1,605/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 55802 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Duluth have seen price recovery that 55802 has not matched. Saint Louis County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A notable renter share of 69% in 55802 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

tilts toward 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 Duluth:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 12.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,605/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
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 55802

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$184,841/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $483,130 $1,330 2.0% +9.4% $241,565
3BR $554,524 $1,820 2.4% +8.2% $184,841

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$507K$454K$401K$348K$294K$241KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,727$1,679$1,631$1,583$1,535$1,487Dec 2025Apr 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55802 Compare?

Metric 55802 Duluth Duluth, MN-WI Minnesota
Home Value $488,900 $278,655 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.2% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,605 $1,528 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 4.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 55802? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

69% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 55802 (Duluth, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $488,900
Monthly Rent $1,605
Price-to-Rent 25.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 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
15.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55802

Population: 2,560

💰 Median Household Income
$38,889
This area
$38,889
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
68.7%
This area
68.7%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.1%
This area
44.1%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.5 years
This area
57.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.0%
Other/Mixed 13.3%
Black/African American 8.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Asian 1.4%
👶 Under 18
6.6%
This area
6.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
32.7%
This area
32.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
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 55802

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
21.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,756 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Academic Excellence Online

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
73 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HARBOR CITY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
205 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,719 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
84 Students
👨‍🏫
6.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
C+ Average

ALC Independent Study

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
212 Students
💰
$18,265 Per Student
C Below Average

ALC School Within a School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
57.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

LINCOLN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 3215 W 3RD ST, DULUTH
👥
568 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 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

4 Nearby 2,991 Off-Campus Students
C
University of Wisconsin-Superior
2,726 students · 2.5 mi
C
Lake Superior College
4,001 students · 3.7 mi
C+
University of Minnesota-Duluth
9,350 students · 4.5 mi
C
The College of Saint Scholastica
2,979 students · 4.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,991 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Duluth, MN?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Duluth, MN. With home values at $489K and rents near $1,605/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Duluth, MN?

Rental owners in Duluth, MN deal with a balanced legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How much is rent in Duluth, MN?

Rental rates in Duluth, MN average $1,605/mo. Tenant demand and $489K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Duluth, MN?

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

What is the tenant pool like in Duluth, MN?

Duluth, MN draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,605/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 55802 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55802 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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