Real Estate Investing in Scales Mound, Illinois (61075)

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

Jo Daviess County • Population: 997 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61075 (Scales Mound, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• 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 Scales Mound, IL (61075)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $218,818
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,625
% Renters 14.3%

Market Analysis: 61075 Scales Mound

The 61075 ZIP covers a section of Scales Mound that demands careful diligence. Prices near $219K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 61075 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $219K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

On the rental side, 61075 offers a low basis, the region around Scales Mound has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 61075 ZIP's population of 997 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 61075, 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 Scales Mound:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$223K$211K$199K$187K$175K$163KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61075 Compare?

Metric 61075 Scales Mound Illinois
Home Value $218,818 $218,818 $279,761
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 61075 (Scales Mound, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $218,818
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 22.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
10.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61075

Population: 997

💰 Median Household Income
$68,625
This area
$68,625
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.8 years
This area
50.8 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
33.0%
This area
33.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
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 61075

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.2:1 Avg Class Size
$30,595 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Scales Mound Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
128 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,595 Per Student
A Very Good

Scales Mound High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
71 Students
👨‍🏫
7.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,595 Per Student
A Very Good

Scales Mound Jr High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
56 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,595 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 is the typical home price in Scales Mound, IL?

Homes in Scales Mound, IL typically sell near $219K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

Are renters plentiful in Scales Mound, IL?

Scales Mound, IL draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $828/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is it like being a landlord in Scales Mound, IL?

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

How do experienced investors play Scales Mound, IL?

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

Is real estate in Scales Mound, IL a good investment right now?

Scales Mound, IL rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $219K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 61075 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61075 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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