Real Estate Investing in Waynesville, Illinois (61778)

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

Dewitt County • Population: 461 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61778 (Waynesville, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.6% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• 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 Waynesville, IL (61778)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $126,941
Avg Monthly Rent $1,062
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,406
% Renters 4.1%

Market Analysis: 61778 Waynesville

ZIP 61778 inside Dewitt County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $127K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 61778 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $127K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Waynesville have seen price recovery that 61778 has not matched. Dewitt County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 61778 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waynesville averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Waynesville:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,062/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)

$138K$131K$125K$119K$112K$106KOct 2023Mar 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61778 Compare?

Metric 61778 Waynesville Illinois
Home Value $126,941 $126,941 $279,761
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,062 $1,062 -
Cap Rate 6.5% 6.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 61778? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 61778 (Waynesville, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.5%
Good

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $126,941
Monthly Rent $1,062
Price-to-Rent 10.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.0%
Cap Rate 6.5%
5-Year IRR 11.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
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
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.5%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
16.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61778

Population: 461

💰 Median Household Income
$71,406
This area
$71,406
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.7 years
This area
42.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.5%
Other/Mixed 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.1%
This area
18.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Lincoln Christian University
185 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Waynesville, IL?

Rents in Waynesville, IL run near $1,062/mo. Compared with median home prices of $127K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How high is vacancy risk in Waynesville, IL?

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

What is the investability score for Waynesville, IL?

Yes - Waynesville, IL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $127K home prices against $1,062/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Waynesville, IL?

The renter base in Waynesville, IL is reasonable for the $1,062/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

Which investment style suits Waynesville, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Waynesville, IL best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $127K price point.

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