Real Estate Investing in Lemmon, South Dakota (57638)

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

Perkins County • Population: 1,963 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 57638 (Lemmon, SD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 28.9% 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 Lemmon, SD (57638)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $115,746
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,861
% Renters 20.2%

Market Analysis: 57638 Lemmon

The 57638 ZIP in Lemmon, SD is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $116K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $116K asset, 57638 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader SD picture, 57638 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

From a cash-flow lens, 1,963 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategy in 57638 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $116K 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 Lemmon:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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)

$131K$118K$104K$90K$77K$63KFeb 2020May 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 57638 Compare?

Metric 57638 Lemmon South Dakota
Home Value $115,746 $115,746 $311,504
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 6.8%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 5.6% 5.6% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 57638? 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 57638 (Lemmon, SD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $115,746
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 11.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 12.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
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: 5.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.6%). 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
28.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 57638

Population: 1,963

💰 Median Household Income
$49,861
This area
$49,861
State
$68,422
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.2%
This area
20.2%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.5%
This area
20.5%
State
17.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.8 years
This area
49.8 years
State
31.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
28.9%
This area
28.9%
State
18.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 4.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.6%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.3%
This area
29.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
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 57638

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$28,945 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Lemmon High School - 01

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
96 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,945 Per Student
A Very Good

Lemmon Elementary - 02

📚 K – 06 School
👥
150 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$28,945 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lemmon Jr. High - 06

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
46 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,945 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

Does Lemmon, SD make sense for an investment property?

Our data puts Lemmon, SD at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $116K and rents around $837/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What investment strategy works best in Lemmon, SD?

The best-fit strategy in Lemmon, SD is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Lemmon, SD?

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

Does house hacking make sense in Lemmon, SD?

The house hack math a challenging in Lemmon, SD. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $837/mo rents and $116K home values.

What is the average home sale price in Lemmon, SD?

The median home value in Lemmon, SD is roughly $116K. That puts it reasonable relative to the SD statewide average.

You know 57638 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 57638 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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