Real Estate Investing in McCool Junction, Nebraska (68401)

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

York County • Population: 1,073 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68401 (McCool Junction, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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: 14.4% 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 McCool Junction, NE (68401)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $255,329
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $104,375
% Renters 10.6%

Market Analysis: 68401 McCool Junction

ZIP 68401 in McCool Junction, NE carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $255K and rents of $891/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $255K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 68401 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 68401 sits on the difficult end of the NE spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 68401 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 68401 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 McCool Junction:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
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)

$263K$248K$233K$217K$202K$187KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68401 Compare?

Metric 68401 McCool Junction Nebraska
Home Value $255,329 $255,329 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 5.0% 6.7%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 68401? 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 68401 (McCool Junction, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $255,329
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 23.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 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
14.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68401

Population: 1,073

💰 Median Household Income
$104,375
This area
$104,375
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.6%
This area
10.6%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
25.5 years
This area
25.5 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.2%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Black/African American 1.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.6%
This area
9.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
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 68401

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.2:1 Avg Class Size
$20,841 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

MC COOL JUNCTION ELEM SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
113 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,841 Per Student
A+ Excellent

MCCOOL JUNCTION JR-SR HIGH SCH

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
127 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,841 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

1 Nearby
C
York University
585 students · 8.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How should investors approach McCool Junction, NE?

In McCool Junction, NE the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $255K prices and $891/mo rents suits that approach.

How do home values compare in McCool Junction, NE?

Homes in McCool Junction, NE typically sell near $255K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which steady long-term demand.

How strong are rents in McCool Junction, NE?

Investors in McCool Junction, NE typically see rents near $891/mo per month against $255K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Does McCool Junction, NE favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in McCool Junction, NE deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How tight is the rental market in McCool Junction, NE?

Vacancy risk in McCool Junction, NE is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

You know 68401 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68401 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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