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Emerson city, IA

ZIP 51533 — Housing & Real Estate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. Page data updated 2026-08-02.

Middle ClassLow Snow Area

Home values, rent, tenure, and housing stock

Housing & Real Estate in ZIP Code 51533

Median Home Value
$133,500
Median Rent
$535
Affordability Snapshot
$37,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$858/mo PITI).

10%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Below the 30% threshold — generally affordable for median earners.

2.1x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Below 3x — relatively affordable housing market.

20.8 yrs
Price-to-Rent Ratio

Years to break even buying vs renting at median home value and rent.

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 51533 in Emerson city, IA, a household would need roughly $37,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $858. That sits below the local median household income ($62,727), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Housing Tenure

Owner-occupied majority; balanced tenure mix.

Heating Fuel
Housing Metrics
Owner Occupied
81.3%+24% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
9.6%-7% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
88.3%+1% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
5.6%-62% vs US avg
x
Built Pre-1939
10.1%-21% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
0.0%
x
Rent Burden >30%
11.9%-76% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
54.3%+42% vs US avg
x
$133,500
Home Value
$535
Rent
1943
Year Built
2006
Moved In

Residents have lived here since ~2006 on average

Housing Structure

Census ACS structure types (single-family, multi-unit, etc.).

  • 1-unit detached91.2%
  • 1-unit attached0.0%
  • 2-9 units3.3%
  • 10+ units0.0%
  • Mobile home & other5.6%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$133,500
Median rent$535
Owner-occupied81.3%
Vacant9.6%
Price-to-income2.1x
Est. income to buy$37,000