Real Estate Investing in Clay City, Illinois (62824)

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

Clay County • Population: 1,595 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62824 (Clay City, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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 (57/100)

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: 12.8% 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 Clay City, IL (62824)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $101,529
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,652
% Renters 23.0%

Market Analysis: 62824 Clay City

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Clay City's 62824 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $102K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 62824 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $102K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader IL picture, 62824 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 62824 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The 62824 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 Clay City:

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 1.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+18.5%)
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)

$105K$99K$93K$87K$82K$76KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62824 Compare?

Metric 62824 Clay City Illinois
Home Value $101,529 $101,529 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 6.4% 6.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 62824? 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 62824 (Clay City, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.4%
Good
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $101,529
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 10.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.8%
Cap Rate 6.4%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +18.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.4%). 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.

Vacancy
12.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62824

Population: 1,595

💰 Median Household Income
$67,652
This area
$67,652
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.5%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Black/African American 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.8%
This area
17.8%
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 62824

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$14,902 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Clay City High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
70 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,902 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Clay City Jr High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
68 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,902 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Clay City Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
106 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,902 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

2 Nearby 132 Off-Campus Students
C+
Olney Central College
880 students · 14.1 mi
D
Illinois Eastern Community College-System Office
0 students · 14.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Clay City, IL?

Expect median prices around $102K in Clay City, IL. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

Are renters plentiful in Clay City, IL?

Working renters make up the core of the Clay City, IL tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How much rent can I charge in Clay City, IL?

Clay City, IL rentals go for roughly $828/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $102K acquisition costs.

What is the smart move for investors in Clay City, IL?

Most investors in Clay City, 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.

What does house hacking look like in Clay City, IL?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Clay City, IL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 62824 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62824 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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