Real Estate Investing in Fairfield, Nebraska (68938)

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

Clay County • Population: 455 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68938 (Fairfield, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 16.5% 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 Fairfield, NE (68938)?

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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 $190,404
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $88,125
% Renters 20.3%

Market Analysis: 68938 Fairfield

ZIP 68938 inside Clay County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $190K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $190K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 68938 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Fairfield have seen price recovery that 68938 has not matched. Clay County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 68938 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 68938 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Fairfield:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.6%)
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: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$198K$175K$152K$129K$107K$84KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68938 Compare?

Metric 68938 Fairfield Nebraska
Home Value $190,404 $190,404 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 68938? 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 68938 (Fairfield, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $190,404
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
16.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68938

Population: 455

💰 Median Household Income
$88,125
This area
$88,125
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.3%
This area
20.3%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.6 years
This area
47.6 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.5%
This area
16.5%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.9%
Other/Mixed 3.1%
👶 Under 18
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
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 68938

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$20,065 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
117 Students
👨‍🏫
7.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,065 Per Student
A+ Excellent

SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
275 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,065 Per Student
A Very Good

SANDY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
97 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,065 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

How does Fairfield, NE stack up for property investment?

Yes - Fairfield, NE a 3.0/5 investability score. With $190K home prices against $864/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the smart move for investors in Fairfield, NE?

Most investors in Fairfield, NE run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How much do tenants pay in Fairfield, NE?

Expect rents around $864/mo per month in Fairfield, NE. With home values at $190K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Fairfield, NE?

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

What are vacancy rates like in Fairfield, NE?

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

You know 68938 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68938 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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