Real Estate Investing in Zion, Illinois (60099)

Lake County • Population: 30,485 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 60099 (Zion, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (80/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Zion, IL (60099)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $268,240
Avg Monthly Rent $1,567
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,021
% Renters 37.5%

Market Analysis: 60099 Zion

ZIP 60099 inside Lake County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $268K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $1,567/mo on a $268K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 60099 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 60099's metrics run below Lake County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 60099 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.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 60099 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Zion:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,567/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60099

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$58,480/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $186,749 $1,490 5.7% +10.0% $93,375
3BR $246,100 $1,920 5.6% +10.0% $82,033
4BR $286,468 $2,220 5.6% +9.9% $71,617
5BR $292,401 +10.0% $58,480

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$283K$241K$199K$157K$115K$73KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,585$1,533$1,482$1,430$1,379$1,327Sep 2025Jan 2026May 2026

📊 How Does 60099 Compare?

Metric 60099 Zion Illinois
Home Value $268,240 $268,240 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 9.2% 9.2% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,567 $1,567 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 60099? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 60099 (Zion, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 60099 (Zion, IL)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+9.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $268,240
Monthly Rent $1,567
Price-to-Rent 14.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 13.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
7.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60099

Population: 30,485

💰 Median Household Income
$65,021
This area
$65,021
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
37.5%
This area
37.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.1%
This area
17.1%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.5 years
This area
33.5 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 47.2%
Other/Mixed 28.3%
Hispanic/Latino 23.2%
Black/African American 21.5%
Asian 3.0%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 60099

A+ Avg School Grade
12 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$23,090 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Zion Central Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
342 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Beulah Park Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
264 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Elmwood Elem School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
228 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Oak Crest School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,433 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Shiloh Park Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
351 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Beach Park Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
683 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,433 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Kenneth Murphy School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,433 Per Student
A Very Good

New Tech High - Zion-Benton East

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,530 Per Student
A Very Good

West Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
448 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A Very Good

East Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
266 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
A Very Good

Lakeview School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,675 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Zion-Benton Twnshp Hi Sch

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,159 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$26,530 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 5,734 Off-Campus Students
C
State Career College
140 students · 6.3 mi
C
The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha
95 students · 6.8 mi
D
Herzing University-Kenosha
545 students · 8.8 mi
C+
Gateway Technical College
10,134 students · 10.1 mi
C+
College of Lake County
12,290 students · 10.4 mi
C
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
1,949 students · 11.1 mi
C+
Carthage College
2,771 students · 11.5 mi
D
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Flex
143 students · 12.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,734 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Zion, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Zion, IL best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $268K price point.

Are tenants stable in Zion, IL?

The tenant pool in Zion, IL is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,567/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How high is vacancy risk in Zion, IL?

Zion, IL sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IL rental market.

Is Zion, IL a friendly market for rental owners?

Rental owners in Zion, IL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is Zion, IL a good place for real estate investing?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Zion, IL reflects its $268K prices and $1,567/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within IL.

See what 60099 really looks like for investors

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