No one can predict the future but numerous studies around the country suggest that property values stay the same or increase faster in local historic districts compared to similar, non-designated areas. Studies also show that properties within historic districts tend to weather recessions and real estate bubbles better. A 2013 Utah-specific economic study shows property values in Salt Lake historic districts remained higher than those of the rest of the city.
One nationwide study found:
- Historic district designation typically increases residential property values by 5-35% per decade over the values in similar, undesignated neighborhoods.
- Both nationally designated historic districts and locally designated historic districts outperform similar, undesignated neighborhoods, but districts that carry both local and national designation experience the highest relative increases in property values.
- The values of newer properties within designated historic districts increase along with those of older properties.
- Local historic district designation decreases investor uncertainty and insulates property values from wild swings in the housing market.
