Real Estate Investing in Carthage, Illinois (62321)

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

Hancock County • Population: 3,682 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62321 (Carthage, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 14.0% 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 Carthage, IL (62321)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $125,756
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,635
% Renters 19.3%

Market Analysis: 62321 Carthage

On balance, ZIP 62321 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $126K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 62321 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $126K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 62321 sits on the difficult end of the IL spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A notable renter share of 19% in 62321 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 62321 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 Carthage:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$130K$122K$113K$105K$96K$88KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62321 Compare?

Metric 62321 Carthage Illinois
Home Value $125,756 $125,756 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 3.0% 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 5.1% 5.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 62321? 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 62321 (Carthage, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $125,756
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 12.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.9%
Cap Rate 5.1%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.1%). 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
14.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62321

Population: 3,682

💰 Median Household Income
$76,635
This area
$76,635
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
34.6%
This area
34.6%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.7 years
This area
49.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.2%
Other/Mixed 5.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Black/African American 0.7%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.5%
This area
25.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
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 62321

C+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,692 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Illini West High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
334 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,551 Per Student
B Good

Carthage Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
176 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,263 Per Student
C+ Average

Carthage Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,263 Per Student
C Below Average

WCISEC HS MD

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

ROYALS Academy Carthage

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

ROYALS RSSP Carthage

📚 06 – 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

What is the typical rental rate in Carthage, IL?

The typical rental in Carthage, IL commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $126K purchase basis.

Are tenants stable in Carthage, IL?

Carthage, IL draws a stable base of working renters. Demand at the $828/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Are homes affordable in Carthage, IL?

Carthage, IL home values average about $126K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.

How strong is Carthage, IL for real estate investors?

Carthage, IL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $126K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How strict are landlord regulations in Carthage, IL?

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

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How 62321 ranks in Fort Madison-Keokuk, IA-IL-MO

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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