Location: Putnam County, WV | Metro: Putnam County, WV HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $860 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,130 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,550 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,600 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,856 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,079 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,245 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,357 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,130 | $185,327 | 0.61% | D |
| 3BR | $1,550 | $226,393 | 0.68% | D |
| 4BR | $1,600 | $330,628 | 0.48% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 25070, located in Eleanor, West Virginia, represents a modest-sized community with a population of 1,875 residents. With 23.2% of the population being renters, it suggests that the area is neither heavily dominated by homeowners nor renters. However, the presence of rental units indicates there is some demand for housing assistance programs such as Section 8.
The median household income in Eleanor is $78,578, which places it above the national average but still within a range where a significant portion of the population might require financial assistance for housing. The market rent for the area stands at $1,034, which consumes approximately 13.2% of the median household income. This figure is calculated by dividing the market rent by the median income ($1,034 / $78,578 = 0.1316), indicating that typical rent eats a reasonable portion of the local income without being overly burdensome.
Comparing the market rent to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) set by HUD, which is $1,120 for FY 2024, reveals that the market rent is slightly below the FMR. This means that landlords who rent properties in this area can potentially receive higher subsidies through the Section 8 program if they charge closer to the FMR. However, it also implies that there might be less demand for vouchers compared to areas where the market rent exceeds the FMR.
A landlord in Eleanor should expect tenants who rely on Section 8 vouchers to be part of a broader mix of renters. These tenants will likely have lower incomes and will benefit from the subsidy to afford the average rent. It's important to note that while the voucher demand exists, it is not overwhelming given the relatively moderate market rent and the fact that the median income is higher than many areas that see heavy demand for housing assistance.
To summarize, ZIP 25070 has a balanced mix of renters and homeowners, with a modest demand for Section 8 vouchers. The typical rent is manageable for most local households, and landlords can leverage the difference between market rent and FMR to attract tenants with vouchers while maintaining competitive rates.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.