Real Estate Investing in Duluth, Minnesota (55811)

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

Saint Louis County • Population: 27,907 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55811 (Duluth, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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 Duluth, MN (55811)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $366,514
Avg Monthly Rent $2,002
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $74,809
% Renters 28.5%

Market Analysis: 55811 Duluth

ZIP 55811 inside Saint Louis County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $367K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 55811 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 55811's metrics run below Saint Louis County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 55811 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. robust returns are possible in 55811, 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 Duluth:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,002/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 55811

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$110,422/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $201,531 $1,250 4.5% +7.5% $201,531
2BR $285,442 $1,570 4.0% +7.6% $142,721
3BR $342,565 $2,150 4.5% +7.2% $114,188
4BR $441,687 $2,630 4.3% +7.2% $110,422
5BR $578,211 +7.8% $115,642

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$382K$337K$293K$249K$204K$160KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,047$2,007$1,967$1,927$1,887$1,847Oct 2024Sep 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55811 Compare?

Metric 55811 Duluth Duluth, MN-WI Minnesota
Home Value $366,514 $278,655 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 6.2% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,002 $1,528 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 55811? 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 55811 (Duluth, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $366,514
Monthly Rent $2,002
Price-to-Rent 15.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +0.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
5.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55811

Population: 27,907

💰 Median Household Income
$74,809
This area
$74,809
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
39.3%
This area
39.3%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.1 years
This area
38.1 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.6%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Asian 1.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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 55811

B Avg School Grade
16 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,723 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lowell Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
A+ Excellent

PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
A+ Excellent

NORTH STAR ACADEMY

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
590 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,539 Per Student
B+ Above Average

PIKE LAKE ELEMENTARY

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
283 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,734 Per Student
B Good

Arrowhead Academy

📚 04 – 12 High School
👥
15 Students
👨‍🏫
3.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
B Good

CHESTER CREEK ACADEMY

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
32 Students
👨‍🏫
4.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
B Good

SUPERIOR ACADEMY

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
B Good

HERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
723 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,583 Per Student
B Good

HERMANTOWN MIDDLE

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
646 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,583 Per Student
B Good

Lowell Elementary Spanish Immersion

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
340 Students
👨‍🏫
22.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 Per Student
B Good

EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
237 Students
💰
$18,265 Per Student
C+ Average

HERMANTOWN EARLY CHILDHOOD

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
46 Students
👨‍🏫
5.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,583 Per Student
C+ Average

HERMANTOWN SENIOR HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
671 Students
👨‍🏫
22.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,583 Per Student
C+ Average

Hermantown Alternative Learning Prg

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,583 Per Student
C+ Average

SPECIAL ED. N.P.

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
22 Students
💰
$18,265 Per Student
C Below Average

THE BRIDGE

📚 Grade 12 High School
👥
18 Students
👨‍🏫
22.5:1 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

5 Nearby 3,531 Off-Campus Students
C
Lake Superior College
4,001 students · 5.1 mi
C
The College of Saint Scholastica
2,979 students · 5.6 mi
C+
University of Minnesota-Duluth
9,350 students · 6.6 mi
C
University of Wisconsin-Superior
2,726 students · 10.3 mi
C+
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
1,749 students · 15.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,531 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Duluth, MN make sense for an investment property?

Duluth, MN reports an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $367K and average rents around $2,002/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

What kind of tenants rent in Duluth, MN?

Tenant demand in Duluth, MN is solid. The local workforce $2,002/mo rents across most rental classes.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Duluth, MN?

Duluth, MN rentals go for roughly $2,002/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $367K acquisition costs.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Duluth, MN?

Expect elevated vacancy in Duluth, MN. Rents at $2,002/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Duluth, MN?

The best-fit strategy in Duluth, MN is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

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How 55811 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

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