Real Estate Investing in Elgin, Nebraska (68636)

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

Antelope County • Population: 1,237 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68636 (Elgin, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Elgin, NE (68636)?

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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 $252,514
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,984
% Renters 21.4%

Market Analysis: 68636 Elgin

Looking more closely, ZIP 68636 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $253K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 68636 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In practical terms, 68636 offers a low basis, the region around Elgin has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 68636 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Elgin averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Elgin:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.6%)
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 68636

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$65,437/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $141,649 $960 4.9% +6.6% $70,825
3BR $196,312 $1,270 4.7% +5.8% $65,437

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$266K$238K$209K$181K$152K$124KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68636 Compare?

Metric 68636 Elgin Nebraska
Home Value $252,514 $252,514 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 68636? 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 68636 (Elgin, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $252,514
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 24.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 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
9.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68636

Population: 1,237

💰 Median Household Income
$68,984
This area
$68,984
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.9 years
This area
52.9 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.7%
Other/Mixed 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.0%
This area
28.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 68636

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.0:1 Avg Class Size
$21,167 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

ELGIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
115 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,167 Per Student
A Very Good

ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
85 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,167 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

What do landlords charge for rent in Elgin, NE?

Expect rents around $864/mo per month in Elgin, NE. With home values at $253K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Does Elgin, NE favor landlords or tenants?

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

Is Elgin, NE a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Elgin, NE will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $253K median home values and $864/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Elgin, NE?

Vacancy risk in Elgin, NE is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

How strong is the working-renter base in Elgin, NE?

The renter base in Elgin, NE is reasonable for the $864/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

You know 68636 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68636 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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