Real Estate Investing in Blue Lake, California (95525)

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

Humboldt County • Population: 1,443 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95525 (Blue Lake, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (20/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -3.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Higher unemployment: 11.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

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

What’s happening in Blue Lake, CA (95525)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $436,809
Avg Monthly Rent $1,422
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,028
% Renters 42.0%

Market Analysis: 95525 Blue Lake

ZIP 95525 inside Humboldt County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $437K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $437K asset, 95525 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within CA, ZIP 95525 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Humboldt County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 95525 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 95525 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Blue Lake:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 35/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.5%)
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: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Eureka-Arcata, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
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 Eureka-Arcata, CA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$590K$526K$462K$398K$334K$271KApr 2012Jun 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95525 Compare?

Metric 95525 Blue Lake Eureka-Arcata, CA California
Home Value $436,809 $436,809 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,422 $1,422 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95525? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 42% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 95525 (Blue Lake, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
-3.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $436,809
Monthly Rent $1,422
Price-to-Rent 25.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR N/A

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR -3.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
17.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-3.4%
Declining
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95525

Population: 1,443

💰 Median Household Income
$59,028
This area
$59,028
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
42.0%
This area
42.0%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
36.2%
This area
36.2%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.7 years
This area
56.7 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.5%
Other/Mixed 17.9%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
Asian 2.7%
👶 Under 18
10.9%
This area
10.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.8%
This area
27.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
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 95525

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.2:1 Avg Class Size
$21,946 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Green Point Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
6 Students
👨‍🏫
6.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,200 Per Student
A Very Good

Blue Lake Union Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
160 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,692 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

2 Nearby 652 Off-Campus Students
D
Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre
8 students · 9.7 mi
C+
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
6,156 students · 14.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 652 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Blue Lake, CA?

In Blue Lake, CA the median home value sits at $437K. Against the broader CA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What is the typical renter like in Blue Lake, CA?

Working renters make up the core of the Blue Lake, CA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Should investors consider Blue Lake, CA?

Blue Lake, CA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $437K and rents near $1,422/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is rental property easy to operate in Blue Lake, CA?

Rental owners in Blue Lake, CA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What are vacancy rates like in Blue Lake, CA?

Blue Lake, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 95525 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95525 ranks in Eureka-Arcata, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation →
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