Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 25871 - 2027
Location: Raleigh County, WV | Metro: Raleigh County, WV HUD Metro FMR Area
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $780 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,682 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,884 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,035 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,137 |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$31,250
When considering whether to invest in ZIP code 25871 for Section 8 properties, follow this decision tree:
- Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $850 cover debt service on a property?
- If yes: Proceed to the next question.
- If no: Do not purchase a property in this ZIP code for Section 8. The FMR does not sufficiently cover the cost of debt service, making the investment unprofitable.
- Is the market rent of $994 above, at, or below the FMR?
- If above: This indicates that the market rent exceeds the FMR, which means landlords could potentially earn more than the Section 8 payment limit if they find tenants willing to pay the market rate. However, they must be prepared to accept Section 8 tenants who can only pay up to the FMR.
- If at or below: There is little to no margin between the market rent and the FMR. Landlords should expect to receive the FMR as their rental income, which is $850 for ZIP 25871 in fiscal year 2024.
- Are 39.0% of residents renters and do the days on the market (DOM) indicate sufficient demand?
- If there is sufficient demand: With 39.0% of residents being renters, there is a notable portion of the population that relies on rental housing. If the DOM is low, indicating quick turnover, this suggests strong demand for rentals in the area. The combination of a high percentage of renters and low DOM signals that there is enough demand to support Section 8 properties.
- If demand is insufficient: Despite the 39.0% of residents being renters, if the DOM is high, it implies that there is not enough demand to quickly fill vacancies. In this case, landlords might struggle to maintain occupancy rates, especially with Section 8 units, which often have longer application processes and waiting times.
A clear path emerges based on these questions. If the FMR covers debt service and the market rent is above the FMR, then it is feasible to consider purchasing in ZIP 25871. However, the final decision hinges on whether the demand is strong enough to ensure consistent occupancy. A high percentage of renters combined with a low DOM points towards a positive outcome, while the opposite scenario would advise against such an investment.
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.