Real Estate Investing in Poplar Grove, Illinois (61065)

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

Boone County • Population: 10,927 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 61065 (Poplar Grove, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (83/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Poplar Grove, IL (61065)?

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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 $282,092
Avg Monthly Rent $1,584
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $109,226
% Renters 4.5%

Market Analysis: 61065 Poplar Grove

This part of Boone County is not an easy win. The 61065 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 61065 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $282K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Poplar Grove have seen price recovery that 61065 has not matched. Boone County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Stepping back, 10,927 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 61065, 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 Poplar Grove:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,584/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Rockford, IL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
19 days
Average time to sell
Fast
11.2%
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 Rockford, IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 61065

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$66,759/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $189,583 $1,760 6.7% +9.0% $94,791
3BR $249,667 $2,330 6.7% +9.2% $83,222
4BR $306,821 $2,390 5.6% +8.3% $76,705
5BR $333,797 +7.9% $66,759

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$296K$255K$214K$173K$132K$90KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61065 Compare?

Metric 61065 Poplar Grove Rockford, IL Illinois
Home Value $282,092 $282,092 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,584 $1,584 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 61065? 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 61065 (Poplar Grove, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Rockford, IL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
32%
Days Pending
0/2
19 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $282,092
Monthly Rent $1,584
Price-to-Rent 14.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.7%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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
8.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61065

Population: 10,927

💰 Median Household Income
$109,226
This area
$109,226
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.7%
This area
30.7%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.3 years
This area
36.3 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 82.9%
Other/Mixed 9.2%
Black/African American 7.9%
Hispanic/Latino 4.7%
👶 Under 18
27.4%
This area
27.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.5%
This area
11.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.3%
This area
8.3%
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 61065

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$19,193 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

North Boone Upper Elem Sch

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
202 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,193 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Poplar Grove Elem School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
248 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,193 Per Student
A Very Good

North Boone Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,193 Per Student
A Very Good

North Boone High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
493 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,193 Per Student
A Very Good

Manchester Elem School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
139 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,193 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 3,649 Off-Campus Students
D
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
228 students · 10.8 mi
C
Rock Valley College
5,480 students · 11.0 mi
C+
Beloit College
948 students · 12.2 mi
C
First Class Cosmetology School
104 students · 12.4 mi
C
Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford
101 students · 12.4 mi
C
Rasmussen University-Illinois
1,332 students · 13.1 mi
D
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford
173 students · 13.6 mi
C
Rockford University
1,249 students · 13.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,649 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Poplar Grove, IL a good place for real estate investing?

Investors tracking Poplar Grove, IL will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $282K median home values and $1,584/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What do rentals go for in Poplar Grove, IL?

Investors in Poplar Grove, IL typically see rents near $1,584/mo per month against $282K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Which real estate strategy fits Poplar Grove, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Poplar Grove, IL best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $282K price point.

Is Poplar Grove, IL a good market for FHA house hackers?

House hacking works a challenging in Poplar Grove, IL. Rents of $1,584/mo against $282K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is Poplar Grove, IL good for landlords?

IL law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Poplar Grove inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

You know 61065 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61065 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 61065 ranks in Rockford, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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