Real Estate Investing in Pawnee City, Nebraska (68420)

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

Pawnee County • Population: 1,230 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68420 (Pawnee City, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 22.4% 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 Pawnee City, NE (68420)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $135,125
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,000
% Renters 12.6%

Market Analysis: 68420 Pawnee City

The 68420 ZIP in Pawnee City, NE is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $135K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 68420 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader NE picture, 68420 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 68420 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Pawnee City averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 68420 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $135K 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 Pawnee City:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 68420

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+5.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$41,245/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $82,491 $960 8.4% +2.5% $41,245
3BR $147,014 $1,150 5.6% +5.5% $49,005

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$154K$133K$113K$93K$72K$52KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68420 Compare?

Metric 68420 Pawnee City Nebraska
Home Value $135,125 $135,125 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 2.6% 2.6% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 68420? 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 68420 (Pawnee City, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $135,125
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 13.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
22.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68420

Population: 1,230

💰 Median Household Income
$55,000
This area
$55,000
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.9 years
This area
43.9 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.6%
Other/Mixed 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.6%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
26.8%
This area
26.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
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 68420

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,737 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

PAWNEE CITY ELEMENTARY SCH

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
146 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,737 Per Student
A Very Good

PAWNEE CITY SECONDARY SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
120 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,737 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there empty rentals in Pawnee City, NE?

Vacancy in Pawnee City, NE is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $864/mo.

What is the smart move for investors in Pawnee City, NE?

In Pawnee City, NE the sturdy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $135K prices and $864/mo rents suits that approach.

How does Pawnee City, NE stack up for property investment?

Yes - Pawnee City, NE a 3.0/5 investability score. With $135K home prices against $864/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Pawnee City, NE?

Pawnee City, NE offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $864/mo rent level.

Where do rents currently stand in Pawnee City, NE?

Investors in Pawnee City, NE typically see rents near $864/mo per month against $135K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 68420 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68420 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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