Real Estate Investing in Saint Elmo, Illinois (62458)

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

Fayette County • Population: 2,189 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62458 (Saint Elmo, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

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

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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: 14.4% 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 Saint Elmo, IL (62458)?

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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 $132,061
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,375
% Renters 10.8%

Market Analysis: 62458 Saint Elmo

ZIP 62458 inside Fayette County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $132K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 62458 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $132K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader IL picture, 62458 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A substantial renter share of 11% in 62458 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

tilts 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 Saint Elmo:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
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)

$136K$127K$117K$107K$98K$88KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62458 Compare?

Metric 62458 Saint Elmo Illinois
Home Value $132,061 $132,061 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 4.7% 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 62458? 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 62458 (Saint Elmo, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $132,061
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 13.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲

🏠 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
14.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62458

Population: 2,189

💰 Median Household Income
$52,375
This area
$52,375
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.3 years
This area
43.3 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.2%
Asian 1.2%
Other/Mixed 0.9%
Black/African American 0.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
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 62458

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$16,205 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

St Elmo Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,205 Per Student
B+ Above Average

St Elmo Jr High School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
57 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,205 Per Student
B+ Above Average

St Elmo Sr High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
122 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,205 Per Student
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

How strong is Saint Elmo, IL for real estate investors?

Yes - Saint Elmo, IL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $132K home prices against $828/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Where do rents currently stand in Saint Elmo, IL?

Rents in Saint Elmo, IL run near $828/mo. Compared with median home prices of $132K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What type of investing works in Saint Elmo, IL?

For Saint Elmo, IL, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Saint Elmo, IL?

Saint Elmo, IL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $828/mo.

Are renters plentiful in Saint Elmo, IL?

Tenant demand in Saint Elmo, IL is solid. The local workforce $828/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 62458 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62458 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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