Real Estate Investing in Vernonia, Oregon (97064)

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

Columbia County • Population: 3,730 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 97064 (Vernonia, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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: 12.7% 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 Vernonia, OR (97064)?

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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 $392,484
Avg Monthly Rent $1,620
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,156
% Renters 16.9%

Market Analysis: 97064 Vernonia

Investors eyeing 97064 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $392K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 97064 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Put differently, 97064 offers a low basis, the region around Vernonia has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

On balance, 3,730 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategically, 97064 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 Vernonia:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,620/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 97064

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$122,205/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $301,691 $1,800 4.3% +5.8% $150,845
3BR $407,363 $2,470 4.4% +5.6% $135,788
4BR $488,820 $2,900 4.3% +5.3% $122,205

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$419K$359K$298K$238K$178K$117KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97064 Compare?

Metric 97064 Vernonia Oregon
Home Value $392,484 $392,484 $493,884
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 2.2% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,620 $1,620 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 97064? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 97064 (Vernonia, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $392,484
Monthly Rent $1,620
Price-to-Rent 20.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
12.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97064

Population: 3,730

💰 Median Household Income
$71,156
This area
$71,156
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.4 years
This area
42.4 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.8%
Other/Mixed 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
👶 Under 18
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.4%
This area
17.4%
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 97064

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,951 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Vernonia Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
223 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,951 Per Student
A Very Good

Vernonia High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
176 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,951 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Vernonia Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
133 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,951 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 Vernonia, OR?

The typical rental in Vernonia, OR commands about $1,620/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $392K purchase basis.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Vernonia, OR?

Vacancy in Vernonia, OR is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,620/mo.

Is Vernonia, OR a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Vernonia, OR a 3.0/5 investability score. With $392K home prices against $1,620/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the best play in Vernonia, OR?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Vernonia, OR. The numbers - $392K homes against $1,620/mo rents - support that play.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Vernonia, OR?

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

You know 97064 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 97064 ranks in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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