Real Estate Investing in Kirkland, Illinois (60146)

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

DeKalb County • Population: 2,241 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60146 (Kirkland, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (81/100)

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

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Kirkland, IL (60146)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $290,313
Avg Monthly Rent $1,296
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,443
% Renters 27.1%

Market Analysis: 60146 Kirkland

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 60146 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $290K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $1,296/mo on a $290K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 60146 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within IL, ZIP 60146 trails on several market indicators that neighboring DeKalb County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 60146 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Kirkland:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,296/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 60146

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$76,843/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $248,733 $1,910 5.5% +8.4% $82,911
4BR $307,372 $2,310 5.4% +9.2% $76,843

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$304K$264K$223K$182K$141K$100KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60146 Compare?

Metric 60146 Kirkland Illinois
Home Value $290,313 $290,313 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,296 $1,296 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 60146? 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 →
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 60146 (Kirkland, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $290,313
Monthly Rent $1,296
Price-to-Rent 18.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
3.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60146

Population: 2,241

💰 Median Household Income
$77,443
This area
$77,443
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.1%
This area
27.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.9%
This area
17.9%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.2 years
This area
45.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.2%
Other/Mixed 7.4%
Hispanic/Latino 3.2%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.2%
This area
19.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.9%
This area
17.9%
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 60146

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.4:1 Avg Class Size
$18,488 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hiawatha Jr/Sr High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
211 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,488 Per Student
A Very Good

Hiawatha Elem Sch PreK-5

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
215 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,488 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

8 Nearby 1,081 Off-Campus Students
C
Kishwaukee College
2,807 students · 11.2 mi
C
Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford
101 students · 12.7 mi
D
Hair Professionals Career College
65 students · 12.7 mi
B
Northern Illinois University
15,504 students · 12.9 mi
C
Rasmussen University-Illinois
1,332 students · 13.0 mi
D
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford
173 students · 13.1 mi
D
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College
733 students · 13.1 mi
D
Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology
65 students · 13.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,081 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of tenants rent in Kirkland, IL?

Tenant quality in Kirkland, IL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $1,296/mo.

What kind of market is Kirkland, IL for investors?

Our data puts Kirkland, IL at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $290K and rents around $1,296/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What does house hacking look like in Kirkland, IL?

For house hackers, Kirkland, IL is a challenging. The $1,296/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $290K property.

How landlord-friendly is Kirkland, IL?

Landlord-friendliness in Kirkland, IL is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is vacancy a concern in Kirkland, IL?

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

You know 60146 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 60146 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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