Real Estate Investing in Ellsworth, Illinois (61737)

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

McLean County • Population: 449 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 61737 (Ellsworth, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 12.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Ellsworth, IL (61737)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $235,389
Avg Monthly Rent $1,152
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,250
% Renters 9.4%

Market Analysis: 61737 Ellsworth

The 61737 ZIP covers a section of Ellsworth that demands careful diligence. Prices near $235K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $235K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 61737 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 61737 and stronger Ellsworth ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

A substantial renter share of 9% in 61737 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 61737, 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 Ellsworth:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,152/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
Bloomington, IL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
26 days
Average time to sell
Fast
10.8%
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 Bloomington, IL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$240K$226K$212K$197K$183K$168KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61737 Compare?

Metric 61737 Ellsworth Bloomington, IL Illinois
Home Value $235,389 $235,389 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,152 $1,152 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 61737 (Ellsworth, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 61737 (Ellsworth, IL)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Bloomington, IL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
26 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $235,389
Monthly Rent $1,152
Price-to-Rent 17.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
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: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
12.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61737

Population: 449

💰 Median Household Income
$66,250
This area
$66,250
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.9%
This area
22.9%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.4 years
This area
44.4 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.8%
Other/Mixed 7.3%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
👶 Under 18
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.2%
This area
14.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.0%
This area
16.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Normal
79 students · 12.4 mi
C
Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology
77 students · 13.0 mi
B
Illinois Wesleyan University
1,576 students · 13.8 mi
C+
Illinois State University
20,989 students · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Ellsworth, IL?

Rents in Ellsworth, IL run near $1,152/mo. Compared with median home prices of $235K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What price range are homes in Ellsworth, IL?

The median home value in Ellsworth, IL is roughly $235K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IL statewide average.

How tight is the rental market in Ellsworth, IL?

Ellsworth, IL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,152/mo.

How landlord-friendly is Ellsworth, IL?

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

Should investors consider Ellsworth, IL?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Ellsworth, IL ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $235K and rents of $1,152/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 61737 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61737 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.

Compare Plans

How 61737 ranks in Bloomington, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 61737 (Ellsworth)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 61737 (Ellsworth, IL).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.