Real Estate Investing in Vandalia, Illinois (62471)

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

Fayette County • Population: 10,309 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62471 (Vandalia, 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: 12.4% 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 Vandalia, IL (62471)?

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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 $137,129
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,429
% Renters 28.4%

Market Analysis: 62471 Vandalia

Investors eyeing 62471 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $137K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 62471 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 62471 and stronger Vandalia ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

A durable renter share of 28% in 62471 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The 62471 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Vandalia:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.9%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 62471

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$43,186/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $86,373 $920 7.7% +9.3% $43,186
3BR $143,671 $1,180 5.9% +7.9% $47,890
4BR $202,649 $1,290 4.6% +7.9% $50,662

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$141K$129K$117K$105K$93K$81KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62471 Compare?

Metric 62471 Vandalia Illinois
Home Value $137,129 $137,129 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 62471? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62471 (Vandalia, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $137,129
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
12.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62471

Population: 10,309

💰 Median Household Income
$51,429
This area
$51,429
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.4%
This area
28.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.2%
Black/African American 5.9%
Other/Mixed 5.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
👶 Under 18
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.5%
This area
10.5%
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 62471

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$18,059 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Vandalia Community High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,059 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Vandalia Junior High School

📚 04 – 08 School
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,059 Per Student
A Very Good

Vandalia Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
558 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$18,059 Per Student
C Below Average

Okaw Area Vocational Center

📚 11 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

FOCUS Safe Sch Program

📚 06 – 09 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

New Approach Alternative H S

📚 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

Is real estate in Vandalia, IL a good investment right now?

Yes - Vandalia, IL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $137K home prices against $828/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Vandalia, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Vandalia, IL best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $137K price point.

How much rent can I charge in Vandalia, IL?

The typical rental in Vandalia, IL commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $137K purchase basis.

Is Vandalia, IL good for house hacking?

House hacking works a challenging in Vandalia, IL. Rents of $828/mo against $137K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Vandalia, IL?

Vandalia, IL sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IL rental market.

You know 62471 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62471 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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