Real Estate Investing in Dove Creek, Colorado (81324)

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

Dolores County • Population: 1,639 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81324 (Dove Creek, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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: 24.1% 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 Dove Creek, CO (81324)?

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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 $232,135
Avg Monthly Rent $1,422
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,179
% Renters 15.8%

Market Analysis: 81324 Dove Creek

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 81324 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $232K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 81324 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $232K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 81324 and stronger Dove Creek ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 81324 ZIP's population of 1,639 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

tilts toward 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 Dove Creek:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,422/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 81324

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
7.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$72,081/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $159,552 $1,580 7.1% +5.8% $79,776
3BR $216,244 $2,200 7.3% +5.0% $72,081

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$243K$213K$182K$152K$121K$91KDec 2011Apr 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81324 Compare?

Metric 81324 Dove Creek Colorado
Home Value $232,135 $232,135 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.0% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,422 $1,422 -
Cap Rate 4.8% 4.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 81324? 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 81324 (Dove Creek, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $232,135
Monthly Rent $1,422
Price-to-Rent 13.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.4%
Cap Rate 4.8%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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
24.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81324

Population: 1,639

💰 Median Household Income
$75,179
This area
$75,179
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.6%
This area
17.6%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
60.8 years
This area
60.8 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.8%
Other/Mixed 13.2%
Hispanic/Latino 11.1%
👶 Under 18
12.8%
This area
12.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
43.2%
This area
43.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
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 81324

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,126 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Dove Creek High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
127 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$18,126 Per Student
A Very Good

Seventh Street Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
125 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,126 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 Dove Creek, CO rate as a rental market?

Dove Creek, CO rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $232K and rents near $1,422/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Dove Creek, CO?

Dove Creek, CO sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader CO rental market.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Dove Creek, CO?

Dove Creek, CO falls under CO landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Which real estate strategy fits Dove Creek, CO?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Dove Creek, CO. The numbers - $232K homes against $1,422/mo rents - support that play.

Where do rents currently stand in Dove Creek, CO?

Investors in Dove Creek, CO typically see rents near $1,422/mo per month against $232K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 81324 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81324 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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