Is Black Hawk County, IA good for real estate investing?

Black Hawk County has an investment score of 73/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #65 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Black Hawk?

The rent-to-price ratio in Black Hawk County is 7.30% annually, which ranks in the 83th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Black Hawk?

The median home price in Black Hawk County is $184,044. This ranks #172 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Black Hawk?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Black Hawk County would generate negative cash flow of $237/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Black Hawk County

IowaPopulation: 131,041

/100

Buy

#65 of 1,000 counties

#44 in Iowa (99 counties)

Market Snapshot

$184,044

Median Home Price

33% below national median

$1,120/mo

Median Rent

25% below national median

7.30%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 17% nationally

-$237

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$184,044

Down Payment (20%)$36,809

Loan Amount$147,235

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,120

Monthly P&I-$965

Est. Expenses (35%)-$392

Net Cash Flow-$237/mo

4.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-6.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.30%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.8% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

73/100

Cash Flow(30%)

73/100

Based on 7.30% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

84/100

Based on 4.3% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

86/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.0x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (7.30%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$237/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.8% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

131,041

Median Income

$62,329

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

3.0x

Very affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
CurrentBlack HawkIA	73	$184,044	$1,120	7.30%	Buy
JasperIA	73	$219,747	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
WashingtonIA	73	$222,285	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
JonesIA	73	$221,533	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
CedarIA	73	$239,764	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
LyonIA	73	$240,778	Est. pending	—	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyBlack Hawk offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Black Hawk County in Iowa scores 73/100, ranking #65 of 1,000 US counties (top 6%). The 7.30% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-237/mo

Cap Rate

4.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-6.7%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Black Hawk?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

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Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$184,044

Down Payment (20%)$36,809

Loan Amount$147,235

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,120

Monthly P&I-$965

Est. Expenses (35%)-$392

Net Cash Flow-$237/mo

4.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-6.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.30%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.8% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

73/100

Cash Flow(30%)

73/100

Based on 7.30% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

84/100

Based on 4.3% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

86/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.0x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

CurrentBlack HawkIA

$184,044

$1,120

7.30%

Buy

JasperIA

$219,747

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

WashingtonIA

$222,285

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

JonesIA

$221,533

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

CedarIA

$239,764

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

LyonIA

$240,778

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyBlack Hawk offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Black Hawk County in Iowa scores 73/100, ranking #65 of 1,000 US counties (top 6%). The 7.30% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-237/mo

Cap Rate

4.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-6.7%