Location: Laurens County, GA | Metro: Bleckley County, GA
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 | $790 |
| 1 Bedroom | $870 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,130 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,440 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,790 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,076 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,325 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,511 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,637 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,440 | $288,568 | 0.5% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 31022, with a population of 1,817, has a rental market that comprises 7.8% of its residents. This indicates that it is not heavily dominated by renters but rather leans towards a homeowner-dominated area where the presence of housing vouchers might be relatively scarce.
The median household income in this ZIP code is $63,875. In comparison to the market rent of $1,130, the typical rent consumes approximately 21.4% of the local median income. This percentage is calculated by dividing the market rent by the median household income and multiplying by 100. To put this into perspective, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area, set at $1,000 for fiscal year 2026, is slightly below the actual market rent, suggesting that landlords may have some flexibility in setting their rent prices.
A landlord in ZIP 31022 should anticipate tenants who are likely to be reliant on housing vouchers due to the cost of living and rental prices being higher than the FMR. The voucher amount will cover a significant portion of the market rent, which means that tenants will need to contribute additional funds out-of-pocket to meet the full rent. Given the income levels and the cost of rent, these tenants will typically spend a substantial part of their income on housing costs, making affordability a key concern.
In summary, while ZIP 31022 is not a renter-heavy area, it does present opportunities for landlords willing to accept Section 8 vouchers. The expected tenant profile would include individuals or families who require financial assistance to afford the average rental unit, with a focus on those who can manage the difference between the voucher amount and the market rent. Landlords should prepare for a tenant pool that is sensitive to housing costs and may seek units that offer good value for money despite the challenges posed by the local rental market.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.