The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 52577 sells for about $166,000, or $122 per square foot.
Prices are down 13.7% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $825 a month.
ZIP 52577 — Oskaloosa
The Oskaloosa housing market is currently experiencing a cooling phase, with median prices showing a year-over-year decline as inventory levels stabilize. High interest rates and local economic factors are contributing to a more competitive but price-sensitive environment for buyers. Market activity remains steady, driven primarily by local demand rather than outside investment.
This ZIP is well-suited for local families and long-term residents seeking an affordable cost of living. It is less attractive to speculative investors due to limited appreciation potential and the need for deep local market knowledge.
Median prices moved down 13.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.4% · poverty 15.0% — a stable, low-distress 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 4.3%/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 3.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 52577, Mahaska County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Oskaloosa are generally consistent with regional averages for rural Iowa communities, with property crime being the primary concern. Local law enforcement maintains a stable presence, and the area is considered safe relative to larger metropolitan centers.
The Oskaloosa Community School District serves the area, generally receiving average ratings for academic performance and student-to-teacher ratios. The district is the primary provider for public education in the ZIP code.
The area faces moderate risk from severe weather, including thunderstorms and occasional high winds. Flood risk is localized to specific low-lying areas near regional waterways, and standard property insurance coverage is readily available.
Economic momentum is driven by local manufacturing, education, and agricultural support services. Development is steady but modest, with infrastructure focused on maintaining existing municipal services rather than large-scale expansion.
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.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with most residents working within Oskaloosa or commuting to nearby regional employment hubs via state highways. Public transit options are extremely limited.
The area features several local parks, including Edmundson Park, which offers trails and recreational facilities. Shopping and dining are concentrated in the historic downtown district and along major thoroughfares.
The rental market is characterized by steady demand from students and local workers, with limited new supply. Vacancy rates remain low, and rent growth has been moderate in line with local wage trends.
The economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors. Major employers include local industrial firms and the regional school district.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use, with Highway 92 serving as the primary arterial route. There is no significant public transit infrastructure.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and commercial improvements within the city limits. No major large-scale master-planned communities are currently under construction.
The Mahaska County Assessor manages property valuations, with assessments updated periodically to reflect market conditions.
Parcels are subject to Oskaloosa Community School District taxes and various municipal utility service districts.
Property insurance premiums are stable, reflecting the area's low-to-moderate risk profile for natural disasters.
Net domestic migration is relatively flat, with modest turnover typical of small Midwestern cities.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including known defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 52577.
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.
Large municipal park with trails, picnic areas, and sports facilities.
Central hub for local businesses, restaurants, and community events.
Local university providing cultural and athletic events for the community.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.