Real Estate Investing in Clara City, Minnesota (56222)

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

Chippewa County • Population: 2,012 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56222 (Clara City, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Clara City, MN (56222)?

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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 $242,021
Avg Monthly Rent $1,125
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,917
% Renters 25.1%

Market Analysis: 56222 Clara City

Investors eyeing 56222 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $242K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 56222 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 56222 among MN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 56222 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 56222 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $242K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Clara City:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,125/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$254K$222K$190K$158K$126K$95KJun 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56222 Compare?

Metric 56222 Clara City Minnesota
Home Value $242,021 $242,021 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,125 $1,125 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 56222? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 56222 (Clara City, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $242,021
Monthly Rent $1,125
Price-to-Rent 17.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56222

Population: 2,012

💰 Median Household Income
$66,917
This area
$66,917
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.7%
This area
18.7%
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
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.1%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
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 56222

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.3:1 Avg Class Size
$55,651 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

MACCRAY Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
356 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$55,651 Per Student
A+ Excellent

MACCRAY Secondary

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$55,651 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

How do home values compare in Clara City, MN?

Median home price in Clara City, MN is near $242K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Which investment style suits Clara City, MN?

Most investors in Clara City, MN run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is it like being a landlord in Clara City, MN?

The landlord environment in Clara City, MN is balanced. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Clara City, MN?

Clara City, MN offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,125/mo rent level.

Is Clara City, MN a good place for real estate investing?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Clara City, MN reflects its $242K prices and $1,125/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MN.

You know 56222 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56222 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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