Real Estate Investing in Decatur, Illinois (62526)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 62526 (Decatur, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 13.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Decatur, IL (62526)?
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Market Analysis: 62526 Decatur
ZIP 62526 in Decatur, IL carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $101K and rents of $856/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 62526 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 62526 and stronger Decatur ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Who lives in 62526 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The right play in 62526 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Decatur:
Property Strategy for 62526
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $56,636 | $1,100 | 14.0% | +7.5% | $28,318 |
| 3BR | $126,370 | $1,430 | 8.1% | +8.4% | $42,123 |
| 4BR | $185,600 | $1,770 | 6.9% | +7.6% | $46,400 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 62526 Compare?
| Metric | 62526 | Decatur | Decatur, IL | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $100,676 | $52,832 | N/A | $279,761 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.8% | 6.3% | N/A | 6.6% |
| Avg Rent | $856 | $909 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.6% | 6.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62526 (Decatur, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $100,676 |
| Monthly Rent | $856 |
| Price-to-Rent | 9.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 10.2% |
| Cap Rate | 6.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 13.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +8.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.6%). 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.
Demographics in 62526
Population: 31,191
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 62526
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Maroa-Forsyth Grade School
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur, IL a friendly market for rental owners?
Decatur, IL operates under IL law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
How quickly do rentals get leased in Decatur, IL?
Vacancy in Decatur, IL is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $856/mo.
What strategy should investors use in Decatur, IL?
Most investors in Decatur, IL run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Decatur, IL?
House hacking works a challenging in Decatur, IL. Rents of $856/mo against $101K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
How strong is the working-renter base in Decatur, IL?
Tenant quality in Decatur, IL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $856/mo.
You know 62526 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62526 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.
How 62526 ranks in Decatur, IL
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