Real Estate Investing in Carleton, Nebraska (68326)

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

Thayer County • Population: 313 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68326 (Carleton, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

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: 19.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Carleton, NE (68326)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $258,279
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,500
% Renters 13.9%

Market Analysis: 68326 Carleton

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Carleton's 68326 ZIP reflects signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $258K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $258K asset, 68326 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

On balance, 68326 offers a low basis, the region around Carleton has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 68326 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 68326 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $258K 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 Carleton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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)

$277K$245K$212K$180K$147K$115KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68326 Compare?

Metric 68326 Carleton Nebraska
Home Value $258,279 $258,279 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 6.7%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 68326? 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 68326 (Carleton, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $258,279
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 24.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
19.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68326

Population: 313

💰 Median Household Income
$77,500
This area
$77,500
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
35.1%
This area
35.1%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.7 years
This area
30.7 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.4%
This area
19.4%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Other/Mixed 2.4%
Black/African American 0.9%
👶 Under 18
32.0%
This area
32.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Carleton, NE?

Carleton, NE registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $258K and average rents around $891/mo. That combination puts it in the significant tier for investor interest.

What investment strategy works best in Carleton, NE?

In Carleton, NE the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $258K prices and $891/mo rents suits that approach.

Is vacancy a concern in Carleton, NE?

Expect elevated vacancy in Carleton, NE. Rents at $891/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is house hacking profitable in Carleton, NE?

House hacking works a challenging in Carleton, NE. Rents of $891/mo against $258K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How strong are rents in Carleton, NE?

The typical rental in Carleton, NE commands about $891/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $258K purchase basis.

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