The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 52554 sells for about $130,000, or $42 per square foot.
Prices are up +5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $692 a month.
ZIP 52554 — Eldon
The housing market in ZIP 52554 is characterized by low inventory and affordable price points, reflecting a stable, rural-focused economy. Sales volume remains low, and price growth is modest, driven by local demand rather than speculative investment. The area serves as a quiet residential base for those working in nearby regional hubs.
This ZIP is best suited for budget-conscious buyers, retirees, or those seeking a quiet, rural-adjacent lifestyle with proximity to regional employment centers.
Median prices moved up 5.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 7.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
10% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 95% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 10.0% · poverty 18.7% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 52554, Iowa
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is served by the Cardinal Community School District, which provides local public education for the Eldon community.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and potential flooding near the Des Moines River.
Economic momentum is modest, with the local economy anchored by small-scale agriculture and regional services in nearby Fairfield and Ottumwa.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Residents typically commute by car to employment hubs in Ottumwa or Fairfield, with travel times generally ranging from 20 to 30 minutes.
The area features access to the Des Moines River for fishing and boating, as well as local parks and proximity to the American Gothic House Center.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and stable demand, primarily serving local workers and those seeking affordable housing.
The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and regional retail services centered in the nearby cities of Ottumwa and Fairfield.
Transportation is almost exclusively reliant on personal vehicles, with access to state highways connecting to larger regional hubs.
Development is limited, with focus primarily on small-scale residential maintenance and local infrastructure improvements.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level property assessments.
Property insurance premiums are generally stable, though coverage for flood and wind damage is a consideration for properties near the river.
Data retrieved from ZCTA-level census profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A historic landmark and cultural site located in Eldon.
Provides local opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.