Real Estate Investing in Dixon, Illinois (61021)

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

Lee County • Population: 22,690 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61021 (Dixon, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

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: 8.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Dixon, IL (61021)?

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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 $180,180
Avg Monthly Rent $1,091
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,930
% Renters 30.4%

Market Analysis: 61021 Dixon

On balance, ZIP 61021 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $180K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $180K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 61021 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In practical terms, 61021 offers a low basis, the region around Dixon has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 61021 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Dixon averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 61021 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Dixon:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,091/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
Dixon, IL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
11.4%
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 Dixon, IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 61021

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$53,876/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $129,691 $920 5.1% +8.6% $64,846
3BR $183,608 $1,260 4.9% +8.1% $61,203
4BR $230,928 $1,390 4.3% +8.3% $57,732
5BR $269,379 +6.5% $53,876

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$190K$162K$135K$108K$81K$54KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,111$1,053$995$938$880$823Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61021 Compare?

Metric 61021 Dixon Dixon, IL Illinois
Home Value $180,180 $180,180 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.7% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,091 $1,091 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 61021? 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 61021 (Dixon, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Dixon, IL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $180,180
Monthly Rent $1,091
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +23.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
8.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61021

Population: 22,690

💰 Median Household Income
$59,930
This area
$59,930
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.4%
This area
30.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.8%
This area
20.8%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.7 years
This area
43.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 84.8%
Black/African American 7.6%
Other/Mixed 6.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
18.2%
This area
18.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.2%
This area
21.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.9%
This area
8.9%
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 61021

C+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
16.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,633 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Jefferson Elem School

📚 02 – 03 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,633 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Madison School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
364 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,633 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Reagan Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
577 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,633 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Washington Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,633 Per Student
B Good

Dixon High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
755 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,633 Per Student
C Below Average

Lee Cty SpEd-ECE

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (2-5 Gra

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (6-8 Gra

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Lee Cty SpEd-Life Skills (9-12 Gr

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Lee Cty SpEd-Transitions

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
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

2 Nearby 447 Off-Campus Students
C
Sauk Valley Community College
1,433 students · 6.2 mi
C
Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling
57 students · 11.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Dixon, IL?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Dixon, IL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What is the investability score for Dixon, IL?

Dixon, IL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $180K and rents near $1,091/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the typical home price in Dixon, IL?

Dixon, IL home values average about $180K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,091/mo in monthly income.

What are vacancy rates like in Dixon, IL?

Expect elevated vacancy in Dixon, IL. Rents at $1,091/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is it like being a landlord in Dixon, IL?

Rental owners in Dixon, IL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 61021 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 61021 ranks in Dixon, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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