Real Estate Investing in Medicine Lake, Montana (59247)

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

Sheridan County • Population: 313 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59247 (Medicine Lake, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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: 22.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Medicine Lake, MT (59247)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $130,937
Avg Monthly Rent $1,053
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $42,500
% Renters 27.6%

Market Analysis: 59247 Medicine Lake

ZIP 59247 in Medicine Lake, MT carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $131K and rents of $1,053/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 59247 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

The gap between 59247 and stronger Medicine Lake ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 59247 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 59247, 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 Medicine Lake:

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 3.1× 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
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)

$135K$123K$111K$98K$86K$74KOct 2019Mar 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59247 Compare?

Metric 59247 Medicine Lake Montana
Home Value $130,937 $130,937 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,053 $1,053 -
Cap Rate 6.3% 6.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 59247? 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 59247 (Medicine Lake, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.3%
Good
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $130,937
Monthly Rent $1,053
Price-to-Rent 10.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.7%
Cap Rate 6.3%
5-Year IRR 12.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.3%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
22.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59247

Population: 313

💰 Median Household Income
$42,500
This area
$42,500
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.6%
This area
27.6%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.1 years
This area
49.1 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.1%
Other/Mixed 9.9%
👶 Under 18
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.8%
This area
20.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.0%
This area
18.0%
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 59247

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
5.7:1 Avg Class Size
$30,011 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Medicine Lake 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
13 Students
👨‍🏫
5.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,011 Per Student
A Very Good

Medicine Lake High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
22 Students
👨‍🏫
5.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,011 Per Student
A Very Good

Medicine Lake School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
48 Students
👨‍🏫
6.4:1 Class Size
💰
$30,011 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 home prices like in Medicine Lake, MT?

Expect median prices around $131K in Medicine Lake, MT. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

Is Medicine Lake, MT a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Medicine Lake, MT ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $131K and rents of $1,053/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Is vacancy a concern in Medicine Lake, MT?

Medicine Lake, MT sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MT rental market.

What is the smart move for investors in Medicine Lake, MT?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Medicine Lake, MT. The numbers - $131K homes against $1,053/mo rents - support that play.

What is the typical renter like in Medicine Lake, MT?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Medicine Lake, MT. The rental market absorbs $1,053/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 59247 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59247 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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