Real Estate Investing in Ortonville, Minnesota (56278)

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

Big Stone County • Population: 2,685 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56278 (Ortonville, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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: 20.9% 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 Ortonville, MN (56278)?

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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 $208,729
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,827
% Renters 25.1%

Market Analysis: 56278 Ortonville

Investors eyeing 56278 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $209K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $209K asset, 56278 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

On balance, 56278 offers a low basis, the region around Ortonville has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 56278 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 56278 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $209K 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 Ortonville:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/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 56278

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$59,028/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $156,669 $980 4.5% +10.1% $78,334
3BR $177,085 $1,190 4.8% +8.7% $59,028

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$219K$192K$164K$137K$110K$83KFeb 2013Nov 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56278 Compare?

Metric 56278 Ortonville Minnesota
Home Value $208,729 $208,729 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 7.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $882 $882 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 56278? 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 56278 (Ortonville, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $208,729
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 19.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
20.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56278

Population: 2,685

💰 Median Household Income
$61,827
This area
$61,827
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.7%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.5%
This area
27.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
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 56278

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$22,975 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

ORTONVILLE SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
230 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,017 Per Student
A Very Good

KNOLL ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
267 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,017 Per Student
B Good

Contract - 02

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$22,892 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

What are vacancy rates like in Ortonville, MN?

Vacancy risk in Ortonville, MN is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Ortonville, MN?

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

What do rentals go for in Ortonville, MN?

Rents in Ortonville, MN run near $882/mo. Compared with median home prices of $209K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Ortonville, MN?

House hacking in Ortonville, MN is a challenging. With home values around $209K and rents at $882/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is Ortonville, MN a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Ortonville, MN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $209K home prices against $882/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 56278 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56278 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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