Real Estate Investing in Kerkhoven, Minnesota (56252)

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

Swift County • Population: 1,305 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56252 (Kerkhoven, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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

📈 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 Kerkhoven, MN (56252)?

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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 $242,410
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,841
% Renters 26.7%

Market Analysis: 56252 Kerkhoven

ZIP 56252 inside Swift County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $242K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 56252 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $242K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Kerkhoven have seen price recovery that 56252 has not matched. Swift County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 56252 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 56252, 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 Kerkhoven:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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)

$251K$226K$200K$174K$149K$123KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56252 Compare?

Metric 56252 Kerkhoven Minnesota
Home Value $242,410 $242,410 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 56252? 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 56252 (Kerkhoven, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $242,410
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
6.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56252

Population: 1,305

💰 Median Household Income
$72,841
This area
$72,841
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.7%
This area
26.7%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.6 years
This area
41.6 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.0%
Other/Mixed 6.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
27.4%
This area
27.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 56252

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$20,526 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

KERKHOVEN SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,526 Per Student
C Below Average

KMS Learning Center

📚 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 1,690 Off-Campus Students
C
Ridgewater College
2,855 students · 11.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,690 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Kerkhoven, MN?

Rents in Kerkhoven, MN run near $873/mo. Compared with median home prices of $242K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How strong is the working-renter base in Kerkhoven, MN?

Kerkhoven, MN offers a consistent renter base at the $873/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Kerkhoven, MN a good place for real estate investing?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Kerkhoven, MN reflects its $242K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MN.

How expensive is real estate in Kerkhoven, MN?

In Kerkhoven, MN the median home value sits at $242K. Against the broader MN market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Kerkhoven, MN?

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

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