Real Estate Investing in Alden, Minnesota (56009)

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

Freeborn • Population: 1,539 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56009 (Alden, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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 vacancy: 12.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Alden, MN (56009)?

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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 $244,233
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,000
% Renters 12.6%

Market Analysis: 56009 Alden

Investors eyeing 56009 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $244K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $244K asset, 56009 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MN, ZIP 56009 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Freeborn submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 56009 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Alden averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 56009, 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 Alden:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/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 56009

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$72,543/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $164,494 $1,190 5.2% +8.3% $82,247
3BR $217,629 $1,570 5.2% +8.2% $72,543
4BR $293,561 $1,750 4.3% +8.8% $73,390

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$259K$223K$188K$152K$117K$81KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56009 Compare?

Metric 56009 Alden Minnesota
Home Value $244,233 $244,233 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 56009? 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 56009 (Alden, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $244,233
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
12.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56009

Population: 1,539

💰 Median Household Income
$83,000
This area
$83,000
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.2 years
This area
48.2 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.5%
Other/Mixed 1.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
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 56009

C+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$16,842 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

ALDEN-CONGER ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,842 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
222 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,842 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Enrich Alden

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
13 Students
D Needs Improvement

First Step Alden

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
👥
5 Students
D Needs Improvement

Next Step West (Alden)

📚 08 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
6 Students
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

Should investors worry about vacancy in Alden, MN?

Alden, MN carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,071/mo.

What is the renter demographic in Alden, MN?

Tenant demand in Alden, MN is solid. The local workforce $1,071/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is Alden, MN a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Alden, MN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $244K home prices against $1,071/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How do experienced investors play Alden, MN?

For Alden, MN, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Are rents high in Alden, MN?

Average rent in Alden, MN is approximately $1,071/mo per month. Against $244K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

You know 56009 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56009 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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