Real Estate Investing in Erie, Illinois (61250)

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

Whiteside County • Population: 2,843 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61250 (Erie, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

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 Erie, IL (61250)?

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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 $180,625
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $81,141
% Renters 24.1%

Market Analysis: 61250 Erie

The 61250 ZIP covers a section of Erie that demands careful diligence. Prices near $181K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 61250 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $181K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader IL picture, 61250 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 61250 ZIP's population of 2,843 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. significant returns are possible in 61250, 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 Erie:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Sterling, IL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.0%
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 Sterling, IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 61250

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best Overall Value
3BR
$63,079/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $142,101 $930 4.7% $71,051
3BR $189,238 $1,210 4.6% $63,079

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$186K$170K$153K$137K$120K$104KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61250 Compare?

Metric 61250 Erie Sterling, IL Illinois
Home Value $180,625 $180,625 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $837 $837 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 61250? 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 61250 (Erie, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Sterling, IL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
49%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $180,625
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 18.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
5.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61250

Population: 2,843

💰 Median Household Income
$81,141
This area
$81,141
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.6%
This area
25.6%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.8 years
This area
42.8 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.4%
This area
5.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.7%
Other/Mixed 3.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Asian 0.2%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
28.9%
This area
28.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
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 61250

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.3:1 Avg Class Size
$26,550 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Erie High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,550 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Erie Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
175 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,550 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Erie Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$26,550 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

1 Nearby
C
Morrison Institute of Technology
54 students · 11.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Erie, IL?

Vacancy risk in Erie, IL is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is rental property easy to operate in Erie, IL?

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

What is the average home sale price in Erie, IL?

Typical homes in Erie, IL go for around $181K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

What are rental rates like in Erie, IL?

Rental rates in Erie, IL average $837/mo. Tenant demand and $181K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Can I house hack in Erie, IL?

Erie, IL offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $837/mo rent level.

You know 61250 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61250 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 61250 ranks in Sterling, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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