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Harlan city, IA

ZIP 51537 — 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 51537

Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$646
Affordability Snapshot
$45,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$1,039/mo PITI).

12%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

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

2.6x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Below 3x — relatively affordable housing market.

20.9 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 51537 in Harlan city, IA, a household would need roughly $45,000 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 $1,039. That sits below the local median household income ($62,353), 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
73.3%+12% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
7.9%-23% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
83.2%-4% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
6.9%-53% vs US avg
x
Built Pre-1939
3.3%-74% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
0.1%-99% vs US avg
x
Rent Burden >30%
18.2%-63% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
42.9%+12% vs US avg
x
$161,800
Home Value
$646
Rent
1955
Year Built
2011
Moved In

Residents have lived here since ~2011 on average

Housing Structure

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

  • 1-unit detached85.0%
  • 1-unit attached1.1%
  • 2-9 units6.2%
  • 10+ units4.6%
  • Mobile home & other3.1%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$161,800
Median rent$646
Owner-occupied73.3%
Vacant7.9%
Price-to-income2.6x
Est. income to buy$45,000