The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 52649 sells for about $260,000, or $158 per square foot.
Homes take about 84 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $850 a month.
ZIP 52649 — Salem
The housing market in 52649 is characterized by low inventory and stable, modest price growth consistent with rural Iowa trends. Demand remains steady for single-family homes and acreage, supported by the regional economic stability of Henry County. Market conditions are balanced, with limited turnover and consistent buyer interest.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking rural living, acreage, or affordable single-family homes, while maintaining proximity to the services of Mount Pleasant.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 84 days on market with 0.6 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.0% · poverty 7.9% — 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 9.5%/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 7.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 52649, Henry 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 the Salem area are generally low and consistent with rural Henry County, which experiences significantly lower violent and property crime rates than the national average.
Schools serving the area are part of the Mount Pleasant Community School District, which maintains a stable academic reputation within the region.
The area is primarily rural with low wildfire risk, though localized flooding can occur near creek beds; standard property insurance remains available and stable.
Economic momentum is driven by agricultural stability and proximity to Mount Pleasant, which serves as the regional hub for employment and services.
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.
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to Mount Pleasant or nearby industrial centers for employment.
Recreation is centered on rural outdoor activities, with local parks and proximity to larger regional greenbelts and community facilities in Mount Pleasant.
The rental market is limited in depth, consisting primarily of single-family homes with low turnover and stable, modest rent growth.
The economy is anchored by agriculture, manufacturing, and public services centered in the nearby city of Mount Pleasant.
Transportation is entirely road-based, relying on state highways for regional connectivity.
Development is primarily focused on small-scale residential infill and agricultural land use.
The Henry County Assessor manages property valuations based on biennial assessments of market value.
Parcels are served by the Mount Pleasant Community School District and local county-level utility and emergency service districts.
Property insurance markets are stable, with premiums reflecting standard rural risk profiles.
Net domestic migration in Iowa remains modest, with rural counties experiencing stable population levels.
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.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates for ZCTA 52649.
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.
Local community green space for recreation.
Regional hub for community events and agricultural shows.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.