Location: Athens-Clarke County, GA | Metro: Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,050 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,070 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,220 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,570 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,650 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,914 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,144 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,316 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,432 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 30609, located within the Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA, has a Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1130 for fiscal year 2024. This figure provides insight into the rental affordability standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the area. However, specific market rent and home value data for ZIP 30609 are not available, nor is the exact percentage of renters in the area.
To contextualize 30609's position within the Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA, we must rely on the provided FMR and infer from it. Typically, an FMR of $1130 suggests that this ZIP code is likely a mid-tier neighborhood within the metro area. The FMR is designed to reflect the 40th percentile of market rents, indicating that rents in 30609 are neither at the very bottom nor the top of the Athens-Clarke County rental market.
The absence of specific market rent and home value data makes it challenging to definitively classify 30609 as a value pocket or a premium sub-market. However, given the FMR alone, it appears to be a standard part of the rental market, aligning with HUD guidelines but not exceeding them significantly. If the renter share were higher than the average for the MSA and home values were lower, this would typically indicate a potential sweet spot for Section 8 investments due to the alignment between rental subsidies and market conditions.
In conclusion, while we cannot provide a precise classification without additional data, the FMR of $1130 for ZIP 30609 points towards a mid-tier status within the Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA. Landlords and small-portfolio investors should consider this ZIP code as a stable investment opportunity, though further research into local market conditions would be advisable for a more informed decision.
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.