Real Estate Investing in Chester, Illinois (62233)

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

Randolph County • Population: 8,233 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62233 (Chester, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 13.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Chester, IL (62233)?

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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 $134,016
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,882
% Renters 24.4%

Market Analysis: 62233 Chester

This part of Randolph County is not an easy win. The 62233 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 62233 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $134K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Regionally, 62233 sits on the difficult end of the IL spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A impressive renter share of 24% in 62233 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The right play in 62233 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Chester:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$144K$124K$105K$86K$66K$47KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62233 Compare?

Metric 62233 Chester Illinois
Home Value $134,016 $134,016 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% 6.6%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 62233? 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 62233 (Chester, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $134,016
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 13.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
13.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62233

Population: 8,233

💰 Median Household Income
$69,882
This area
$69,882
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.8 years
This area
43.8 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.0%
Black/African American 21.9%
Other/Mixed 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
10.6%
This area
10.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.2%
This area
15.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
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 62233

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,080 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Chester Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
637 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,080 Per Student
A Very Good

Chester High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,080 Per Student
C Below Average

Okaw Regional Voc System

📚 09 – 12 High School 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are rents high in Chester, IL?

Chester, IL rentals go for roughly $846/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $134K acquisition costs.

Are homes affordable in Chester, IL?

Chester, IL median home values land near $134K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $846/mo-per-month rentals.

How does Chester, IL rate as a rental market?

Chester, IL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $134K and rents near $846/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Chester, IL?

Chester, IL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($134K prices, $846/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What are vacancy rates like in Chester, IL?

Vacancy in Chester, IL is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $846/mo.

You know 62233 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62233 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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