Real Estate Investing in Macon, Illinois (62544)

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

Macon County • Population: 1,719 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62544 (Macon, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Macon, IL (62544)?

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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 $154,896
Avg Monthly Rent $972
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $74,833
% Renters 17.7%

Market Analysis: 62544 Macon

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Macon's 62544 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $155K pricing implies.

The investment case in 62544 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $155K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 62544's metrics run below Macon County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A impressive renter share of 18% in 62544 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 62544 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $155K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Macon:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $972/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Decatur, IL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
13.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Decatur, IL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$163K$148K$134K$120K$106K$92KFeb 2014May 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62544 Compare?

Metric 62544 Macon Decatur, IL Illinois
Home Value $154,896 $154,896 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $972 $972 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62544? 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 62544 (Macon, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Decatur, IL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
49%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $154,896
Monthly Rent $972
Price-to-Rent 13.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
10.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62544

Population: 1,719

💰 Median Household Income
$74,833
This area
$74,833
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.7 years
This area
42.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 3.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
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 62544

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,096 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Meridian High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
307 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,096 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Meridian Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
202 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,096 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 374 Off-Campus Students
C+
Millikin University
1,659 students · 9.3 mi
C
Reflections Academy of Beauty
29 students · 11.9 mi
C
Richland Community College
2,214 students · 12.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical renter like in Macon, IL?

Macon, IL offers a reliable renter base at the $972/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How strict are landlord regulations in Macon, IL?

Macon, IL operates under IL law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How tight is the rental market in Macon, IL?

Macon, IL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $972/mo.

Is Macon, IL good for house hacking?

The house hack math a challenging in Macon, IL. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $972/mo rents and $155K home values.

What price range are homes in Macon, IL?

The median home value in Macon, IL is roughly $155K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IL statewide average.

You know 62544 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62544 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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How 62544 ranks in Decatur, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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