Real Estate Investing in Marion, Illinois (62959)

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

Williamson County • Population: 27,779 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62959 (Marion, 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: 9.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Marion, IL (62959)?

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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 $184,283
Avg Monthly Rent $1,065
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,850
% Renters 29.8%

Market Analysis: 62959 Marion

Investors eyeing 62959 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $184K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 62959 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader IL picture, 62959 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A notable renter share of 30% in 62959 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Marion's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 62959. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Marion:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,065/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Carbondale-Marion, IL Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
60 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.2%
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 Carbondale-Marion, IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 62959

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$65,522/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $196,566 $1,350 4.9% +7.8% $65,522
4BR $287,648 $1,390 3.5% +8.3% $71,912

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$194K$176K$157K$139K$121K$103KMay 2008Jun 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,073$1,068$1,064$1,059$1,054$1,049Feb 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62959 Compare?

Metric 62959 Marion Carbondale-Marion, IL Illinois
Home Value $184,283 $184,283 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.3% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,065 $1,065 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62959? 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 62959 (Marion, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $184,283
Monthly Rent $1,065
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
9.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62959

Population: 27,779

💰 Median Household Income
$61,850
This area
$61,850
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.8%
This area
29.8%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.2 years
This area
41.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.0%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Black/African American 4.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
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 62959

B+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$15,351 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Jefferson Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
344 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Lincoln Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
493 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Marion Jr High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
704 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Washington Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
479 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Crab Orchard High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
141 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,053 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Longfellow Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
252 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Crab Orchard Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,053 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Marion High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,105 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,450 Per Student
C Below Average

Williamson Co Intensive Program

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Williamson Co Learning Cntr

📚 Grade M Elementary 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 611 Off-Campus Students
C
John A Logan College
3,120 students · 9.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 611 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Marion, IL?

Marion, IL vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Are rents high in Marion, IL?

The typical rental in Marion, IL commands about $1,065/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $184K purchase basis.

Is IL a landlord-friendly state?

For rental operators, Marion, IL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What strategy should investors use in Marion, IL?

Marion, IL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($184K prices, $1,065/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How strong is Marion, IL for real estate investors?

Yes - Marion, IL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $184K home prices against $1,065/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 62959 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 62959 ranks in Carbondale-Marion, IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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