Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Nebraska (68701)

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

Madison County • Population: 31,172 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68701 (Norfolk, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Norfolk, NE (68701)?

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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 $264,725
Avg Monthly Rent $1,291
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,351
% Renters 34.1%

Market Analysis: 68701 Norfolk

The 68701 ZIP in Norfolk, NE is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $265K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 68701 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

On the rental side, 68701 offers a low basis, the region around Norfolk has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 68701 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 68701 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $265K 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 Norfolk:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,291/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Norfolk, NE Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
11.5%
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 Norfolk, NE metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 68701

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$81,284/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $120,560 $780 4.7% +7.8% $120,560
2BR $196,993 $1,020 3.7% +7.6% $98,497
3BR $258,983 $1,310 3.6% +6.7% $86,328
4BR $325,136 $1,550 3.4% +6.5% $81,284
5BR $420,648 +6.1% $84,130

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$277K$241K$205K$170K$134K$98KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,305$1,264$1,223$1,182$1,141$1,101Jan 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68701 Compare?

Metric 68701 Norfolk Norfolk, NE Nebraska
Home Value $264,725 $264,725 N/A $269,423
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,291 $1,291 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 68701? 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 68701 (Norfolk, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Norfolk, NE metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
70%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $264,725
Monthly Rent $1,291
Price-to-Rent 17.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
7.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68701

Population: 31,172

💰 Median Household Income
$61,351
This area
$61,351
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.1%
This area
34.1%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.2 years
This area
37.2 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 84.9%
Other/Mixed 13.1%
Hispanic/Latino 8.2%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.3%
This area
16.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
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 68701

B Avg School Grade
12 Schools
14.8:1 Avg Class Size
$13,776 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

NORFOLK JR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
644 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B+ Above Average

NORFOLK MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
609 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
193 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
210 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
233 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

BEL AIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
324 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

WOODLAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCH

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
199 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
249 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

LITTLE PANTHERS PRESCHOOL

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
305 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
B Good

NORFOLK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,359 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,776 Per Student
C Below Average

ALTERNATIVES FOR SUCCESS SCH

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$13,776 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 2,646 Off-Campus Students
C+
Northeast Community College
5,595 students · 3.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,646 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Norfolk, NE stack up for property investment?

Norfolk, NE scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $265K and rents near $1,291/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What strategy should investors use in Norfolk, NE?

For Norfolk, NE, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How strong is tenant demand in Norfolk, NE?

Tenant demand in Norfolk, NE is solid. The local workforce $1,291/mo rents across most rental classes.

What does house hacking look like in Norfolk, NE?

Norfolk, NE offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,291/mo rent level.

Is vacancy a concern in Norfolk, NE?

Norfolk, NE sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader NE rental market.

You know 68701 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 68701 ranks in Norfolk, NE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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