Real Estate Investing in Mount Vernon, Oregon (97820)

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

Grant County • Population: 1,417 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 97820 (Mount Vernon, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Mount Vernon, OR (97820)?

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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 $318,894
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,073
% Renters 17.0%

Market Analysis: 97820 Mount Vernon

ZIP 97820 inside Grant County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $319K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $891/mo on a $319K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 97820 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Mount Vernon have seen price recovery that 97820 has not matched. Grant County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 97820 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 97820 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Mount Vernon:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$331K$298K$265K$232K$199K$165KFeb 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97820 Compare?

Metric 97820 Mount Vernon Oregon
Home Value $318,894 $319,437 $493,884
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.0% 4.9%
Avg Rent $891 $882 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 97820? 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 97820 (Mount Vernon, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $318,894
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 29.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
11.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97820

Population: 1,417

💰 Median Household Income
$58,073
This area
$58,073
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.0%
This area
17.0%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.9%
This area
24.9%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.0 years
This area
47.0 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.5%
Other/Mixed 13.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.9%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
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 97820

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$18,613 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Humbolt Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,613 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

Is Mount Vernon, OR a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Mount Vernon, OR scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $319K and rents near $891/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Mount Vernon, OR?

Occupancy in Mount Vernon, OR runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $891/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is housing expensive in Mount Vernon, OR?

Expect median prices around $319K in Mount Vernon, OR. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

Which investment style suits Mount Vernon, OR?

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

Where do rents currently stand in Mount Vernon, OR?

Expect rents around $891/mo per month in Mount Vernon, OR. With home values at $319K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 97820 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 97820 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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