Real Estate Investing in Williams, Oregon (97544)

Josephine County • Population: 2,040 • Data updated: June 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 97544 (Williams, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 13.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.4% CAGR).

What’s happening in Williams, OR (97544)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $442,718
Avg Monthly Rent $1,674
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,321
% Renters 22.7%

Market Analysis: 97544 Williams

ZIP 97544 inside Josephine County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $443K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $443K asset, 97544 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Williams have seen price recovery that 97544 has not matched. Josephine County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 97544 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Williams averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 97544 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Williams:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,674/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Grants Pass, OR Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
62 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Grants Pass, OR metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$510K$447K$384K$320K$257K$194KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

📊 How Does 97544 Compare?

Metric 97544 Williams Grants Pass, OR Oregon
Home Value $442,718 $442,718 N/A $493,884
5-Year CAGR 0.4% 0.4% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,674 $1,674 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 97544 (Williams, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 97544 (Williams, OR)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.4%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Grants Pass, OR metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
67%
Days Pending
2/2
62 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $442,718
Monthly Rent $1,674
Price-to-Rent 22.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 3.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
13.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97544

Population: 2,040

💰 Median Household Income
$77,321
This area
$77,321
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.7%
This area
22.7%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.4%
This area
28.4%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.5 years
This area
47.5 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.8%
Other/Mixed 6.2%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
👶 Under 18
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.3%
This area
27.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
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 97544

C+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
22.0:1 Avg Class Size
$16,461 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

C+ Average

Williams Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,461 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

1 Nearby 1,838 Off-Campus Students
C
Rogue Community College
3,790 students · 15.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,838 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Williams, OR?

Williams, OR home values average about $443K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,674/mo in monthly income.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Williams, OR?

Rents in Williams, OR run near $1,674/mo. Compared with median home prices of $443K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How strong is the working-renter base in Williams, OR?

Tenant quality in Williams, OR ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $1,674/mo.

What is the best play in Williams, OR?

The best-fit strategy in Williams, OR is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is Williams, OR good for landlords?

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

See what 97544 really looks like for investors

You're reading the free snapshot. Unlock appreciation trends, cap rates, vacancy signals, Section 8 data, and full demographics for 97544.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 97544 (Williams)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 97544 (Williams, OR).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.