Real Estate Investing in Crookston, Minnesota (56716)

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

Polk County • Population: 8,991 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56716 (Crookston, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

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: 9.4% 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 Crookston, MN (56716)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $190,772
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,521
% Renters 39.1%

Market Analysis: 56716 Crookston

ZIP 56716 in Crookston, MN carries a resilient set of headwinds. Home values near $191K and rents of $927/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 56716 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $191K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 56716's metrics run below Polk County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 56716 ZIP's population of 8,991 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 56716 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Crookston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Grand Forks, ND-MN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.9%
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 Grand Forks, ND-MN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 56716

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$50,892/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $123,593 $1,030 6.0% +4.2% $61,796
3BR $178,131 $1,430 5.8% +4.3% $59,377
4BR $219,782 $1,730 5.7% +5.0% $54,945
5BR $254,458 +5.2% $50,892

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$203K$175K$147K$120K$92K$65KApr 2013Dec 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56716 Compare?

Metric 56716 Crookston Grand Forks, ND-MN Minnesota
Home Value $190,772 $190,772 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 3.6% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $927 $927 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 56716? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 56716 (Crookston, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $190,772
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 7.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
9.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56716

Population: 8,991

💰 Median Household Income
$54,521
This area
$54,521
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.1%
This area
39.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.9%
This area
27.9%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.5 years
This area
40.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.2%
Other/Mixed 10.3%
Hispanic/Latino 7.2%
Asian 2.7%
Black/African American 1.8%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
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 56716

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
25.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,909 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,909 Per Student
A Very Good

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
117 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,909 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CROOKSTON SECONDARY

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
616 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,909 Per Student
C Below Average

NORTHERN LIGHTS ACADEMY

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
8 Students
💰
$15,909 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

CROOKSTON PRE-K PROGRAM

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
29 Students
👨‍🏫
61.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,909 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

1 Nearby 292 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Minnesota-Crookston
2,518 students · 4.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight is the rental market in Crookston, MN?

Crookston, MN carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $927/mo.

What price range are homes in Crookston, MN?

Median home price in Crookston, MN is near $191K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Should investors consider Crookston, MN?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Crookston, MN ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $191K and rents of $927/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Is rental property easy to operate in Crookston, MN?

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

What is the typical rental rate in Crookston, MN?

Investors in Crookston, MN typically see rents near $927/mo per month against $191K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 56716 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 56716 ranks in Grand Forks, ND-MN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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