The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50517 sells for about $173,419, or $153 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.6% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 92 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $536 a month.
ZIP 50517 — Bancroft
The housing market in 50517 is characterized by low inventory and slow turnover, typical of a stable rural Iowa community. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, driven by limited supply rather than high demand. The market remains affordable, serving primarily local residents and those seeking a quiet, low-cost lifestyle.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle, as well as retirees looking for a low-cost-of-living environment.
Median prices moved up 2.6% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 92 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
8% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.5% · poverty 10.8% — 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 3.7%/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 2.8%/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 50517, Kossuth 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 Bancroft and the surrounding Kossuth County area are consistently low, reflecting typical rural Iowa safety profiles with minimal violent crime reported.
The area is served by the North Kossuth Community School District, which maintains small class sizes and is generally regarded as a stable, community-focused educational environment.
The region faces standard Midwestern risks, primarily severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding in low-lying areas, with property insurance premiums remaining relatively stable compared to national averages.
Economic momentum is driven by the regional agricultural sector and small-scale manufacturing, with limited large-scale commercial development currently underway in the immediate ZIP.
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 nearby employment hubs like Algona for services and work.
Local recreation centers on small community parks and proximity to rural outdoor activities, with limited large-scale shopping or entertainment venues within a 3-mile radius.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and modest demand, primarily serving local workers and those seeking affordable housing options.
The economy is heavily anchored by agriculture, agribusiness, and local government services, with Algona serving as the primary regional employment hub.
Transportation is entirely reliant on personal vehicles, with no public transit infrastructure serving the area.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in the ZIP.
The Kossuth County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a biennial assessment cycle to determine taxable values based on market trends.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level levies for emergency services and infrastructure maintenance.
Property insurance remains accessible, though premiums are sensitive to regional weather-related claims common in the Midwest.
The state of Iowa has seen modest net domestic migration, with rural counties like Kossuth experiencing stable or slightly declining population trends.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process, which generally provides a longer timeline for homeowners.
Iowa law requires sellers to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, covering major systems and known defects.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
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 park providing green space and recreational facilities.
Small local course serving the immediate area.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.