Location: Clarion County, PA | Metro: Clarion County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $870 |
| 1 Bedroom | $880 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,130 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,890 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,192 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,455 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,651 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,784 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 16235 in Clarion County, PA, reveals key insights into its potential for Section 8 real estate investment.
The first question addresses whether the rent math works. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,070, while the current market rent based on Census ACS data stands at $738. This indicates that landlords could potentially receive a higher rental income through Section 8 vouchers compared to the current market rate, making the rent math favorable for Section 8 participation.
Moving on to acquisition affordability, the data shows that the median home value is not available, which suggests that there might be limited residential property listings or a lack of recent sales data. Additionally, the days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes that have been price-cut are also not available. These missing metrics make it challenging to assess the ease or cost of acquiring properties in this ZIP code. However, the absence of these figures could indicate a stable market with fewer distressed sales.
The third question concerns tenant demand. With a population of 1,356, the ZIP code has an 8.8% renter share. This means approximately 119 residents are likely seeking rental housing. Given the size of the population, this number represents a modest but present demand for rental units, suitable for small-portfolio investors.
Verdict: ZIP 16235 presents a mixed picture for Section 8 real estate investment. The rent math works in favor of landlords due to the disparity between the FMR and the current market rent. However, the lack of specific data on median home values, DOM, and price-cut percentages complicates the assessment of acquisition costs and affordability. Despite these uncertainties, the presence of a consistent, albeit small, tenant demand makes this ZIP code viable for cautious small-portfolio investors looking to capitalize on the higher Section 8 voucher rates.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.