Real Estate Investing in Vernon Hills, Illinois (60061)

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

Lake County • Population: 27,883 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60061 (Vernon Hills, IL)? 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Vernon Hills, IL (60061)?

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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 $461,634
Avg Monthly Rent $2,420
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $118,371
% Renters 33.4%

Market Analysis: 60061 Vernon Hills

The 60061 ZIP in Vernon Hills, IL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $462K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 60061 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 60061 among IL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 60061 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 60061 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Vernon Hills:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,420/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 60061

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$124,796/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $249,592 $2,390 6.9% +9.1% $124,796
3BR $447,159 $3,080 5.0% +8.7% $149,053
4BR $640,310 $3,560 4.0% +8.3% $160,077
5BR $857,279 +8.0% $171,456

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$482K$427K$372K$316K$261K$206KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,492$2,282$2,073$1,864$1,655$1,445Jan 2019Oct 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60061 Compare?

Metric 60061 Vernon Hills Illinois
Home Value $461,634 $461,634 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 6.6%
Avg Rent $2,420 $2,420 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 60061? 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 60061 (Vernon Hills, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $461,634
Monthly Rent $2,420
Price-to-Rent 15.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
6.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60061

Population: 27,883

💰 Median Household Income
$118,371
This area
$118,371
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.4%
This area
33.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
65.6%
This area
65.6%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 63.6%
Asian 25.6%
Other/Mixed 9.0%
Hispanic/Latino 5.7%
Black/African American 1.8%
👶 Under 18
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.1%
This area
16.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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 60061

B+ Avg School Grade
15 Schools
10.6:1 Avg Class Size
$26,831 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Aspen Elem School

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
318 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Elem School North

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Elem School South

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
517 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Middle School North

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
593 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Middle School South

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
642 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Sch of Dual Language

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Townline Elem Sch

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hawthorn Sch for Young Learners

📚 Grade KG Elementary
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,547 Per Student
A Very Good

Vernon Hills High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,480 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$35,806 Per Student
C+ Average

Lake Co Hulse Detention Center 6-

📚 06 – 08 Middle Limited Data
💰
$23,931 Per Student
C+ Average

Lake Co Hulse Detention Center 9-

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$39,023 Per Student
C Below Average

Exceptional Learners Collaborativ

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

John Powers Center

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Transition

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

ROE Alternative Prog of Lake Co

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

8 Nearby
C
Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills
57 students · 0.6 mi
D
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville
193 students · 3.5 mi
D
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
275 students · 3.5 mi
C
University of Saint Mary of the Lake
203 students · 3.9 mi
D
Trinity International University-Illinois
852 students · 4.8 mi
C
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
187 students · 6.1 mi
C+
Lake Forest College
1,818 students · 6.9 mi
C
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
1,949 students · 6.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical vacancy rate in Vernon Hills, IL?

Vernon Hills, IL vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is Vernon Hills, IL a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Vernon Hills, IL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $462K home prices against $2,420/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What does house hacking look like in Vernon Hills, IL?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Vernon Hills, IL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Vernon Hills, IL?

IL ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Vernon Hills generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

How expensive is real estate in Vernon Hills, IL?

Median home price in Vernon Hills, IL is near $462K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 60061 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 60061 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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How 60061 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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