Location: White County, IN | Metro: Cass County, IN
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 | $850 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,390 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,682 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,884 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,035 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,137 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,050 | $152,390 | 0.69% | D |
| 3BR | $1,390 | $209,188 | 0.66% | D |
| 4BR | $1,450 | $224,051 | 0.65% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 46978, located in Royal Center, IN, is primarily a homeowner-dominated area with a relatively small tenant pool. The population stands at 2,034 individuals, with only 14.0% being renters. This indicates that the majority of residents own their homes, which reduces the overall demand for rental properties and suggests that the availability of Section 8 housing vouchers will be limited.
The median household income in this ZIP code is $78,750, which provides context for evaluating the affordability of the average market rent of $828. To determine how significant this rent expense is relative to the average income, we calculate that the typical rent consumes approximately 10.5% of the median household income. This percentage is derived from dividing the market rent by the median income and multiplying by 100 (828 / 78750 * 100 = 10.5%).
Comparing the market rent to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,020 for the metro area, it's clear that the rent in ZIP 46978 is below the FMR threshold. This means that landlords in this area might find it challenging to receive the full FMR reimbursement from the government for Section 8 tenants, as the local market rates are lower.
In terms of the tenant profile expected by landlords, they should anticipate a mix of low-income families who qualify for Section 8 vouchers and middle-income individuals who can afford market rents but still find them affordable given their income levels. However, due to the limited number of renters and the relatively high median income, the demand for Section 8 properties will likely be less intense compared to areas with higher percentages of renters and lower median incomes.
To summarize, ZIP 46978 is not a renter-heavy area with deep voucher demand. Landlords should prepare for a smaller pool of potential Section 8 tenants and a market where typical rents consume about 10.5% of the median household income, which is below the FMR benchmark for the region.
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.