Real Estate Investing in Castlewood, South Dakota (57223)

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

Hamlin County • Population: 1,367 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 57223 (Castlewood, SD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Castlewood, SD (57223)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $352,114
Avg Monthly Rent $1,053
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,295
% Renters 13.8%

Market Analysis: 57223 Castlewood

The 57223 ZIP in Castlewood, SD is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $352K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $352K asset, 57223 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader SD picture, 57223 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A healthy renter share of 14% in 57223 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 57223 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $352K 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 Castlewood:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,053/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
Watertown, SD Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.9%
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 Watertown, SD metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$358K$341K$325K$308K$292K$276KNov 2023Mar 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 57223 Compare?

Metric 57223 Castlewood Watertown, SD South Dakota
Home Value $352,114 $352,114 N/A $311,504
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,053 $1,053 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% - -
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 57223 (Castlewood, SD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Watertown, SD metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
54%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $352,114
Monthly Rent $1,053
Price-to-Rent 27.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 16.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
8.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 57223

Population: 1,367

💰 Median Household Income
$83,295
This area
$83,295
State
$68,422
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
17.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.1 years
This area
36.1 years
State
31.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
State
18.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Asian 0.3%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
31.1%
This area
31.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
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 57223

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,294 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Castlewood Elementary - 02

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
144 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,294 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Castlewood High School - 01

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
106 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,294 Per Student
B Good

Claremont Colony Elementary - 04

📚 K – 08 School
👥
15 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,294 Per Student
B Good

Castlewood Middle School - 03

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
73 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,294 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 1,895 Off-Campus Students
C
Lake Area Technical College
2,179 students · 13.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,895 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Castlewood, SD?

Castlewood, SD rentals go for roughly $1,053/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $352K acquisition costs.

Is Castlewood, SD a good market for FHA house hackers?

Castlewood, SD is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $352K price point reasonable to enter.

What investment strategy works best in Castlewood, SD?

Most investors in Castlewood, SD run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What price range are homes in Castlewood, SD?

Median home price in Castlewood, SD is near $352K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is vacancy a concern in Castlewood, SD?

Rental vacancy in Castlewood, SD is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

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How 57223 ranks in Watertown, SD

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