Real Estate Investing in Winnebago, Illinois (61088)

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

Winnebago County • Population: 5,992 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61088 (Winnebago, 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 Winnebago, IL (61088)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $288,598
Avg Monthly Rent $1,116
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $93,507
% Renters 10.3%

Market Analysis: 61088 Winnebago

The 61088 ZIP in Winnebago, IL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $289K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $1,116/mo on a $289K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 61088 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 61088 sits on the difficult end of the IL spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 61088 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.

The 61088 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 Winnebago:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,116/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.
⚖️
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 61088

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$76,422/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $209,268 $1,240 4.3% +8.1% $104,634
3BR $260,059 $1,640 4.5% +9.5% $86,686
4BR $305,689 $1,680 4.0% +8.1% $76,422

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$302K$263K$224K$185K$146K$107KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61088 Compare?

Metric 61088 Winnebago Rockford, IL Illinois
Home Value $288,598 $288,598 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 8.3% 8.3% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,116 $1,116 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 61088? 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 61088 (Winnebago, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.3%
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 $288,598
Monthly Rent $1,116
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
4.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61088

Population: 5,992

💰 Median Household Income
$93,507
This area
$93,507
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.3%
This area
10.3%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.1%
This area
28.1%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.0 years
This area
46.0 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.0%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
Asian 0.9%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
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 61088

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$21,754 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Winnebago Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,754 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dorothy Simon Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
306 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,754 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Winnebago High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,754 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Jean McNair Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
259 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,754 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

7 Nearby 3,649 Off-Campus Students
D
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College
733 students · 11.7 mi
C
Rockford University
1,249 students · 12.0 mi
D
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford
173 students · 12.6 mi
C
Rasmussen University-Illinois
1,332 students · 13.1 mi
C
Rock Valley College
5,480 students · 13.6 mi
D
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
228 students · 13.7 mi
C
Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford
101 students · 14.0 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Winnebago, IL?

Vacancy risk in Winnebago, IL is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

How landlord-friendly is Winnebago, IL?

The landlord environment in Winnebago, IL is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What is the typical renter like in Winnebago, IL?

Winnebago, IL offers a stable renter base at the $1,116/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Which real estate strategy fits Winnebago, IL?

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

How expensive is real estate in Winnebago, IL?

The median home value in Winnebago, IL is roughly $289K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IL statewide average.

You know 61088 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 61088 ranks in Rockford, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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