Location: Adams County, IA | Metro: Adams County, IA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $690 |
| 1 Bedroom | $710 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,240 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,624 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,754 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,842 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 50839 is located in Carbon, Iowa, a small town with a total population of approximately 46 people. Only 17.9% of the residents are renters, indicating that it is primarily a homeownership-oriented community. The median household income in this area is $48,750, which provides insight into the economic profile of its inhabitants. However, specific data on median home values is currently unavailable, suggesting that the majority of properties are owner-occupied.
Moving into the realm of rental economics, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $920. This figure serves as a benchmark for the rental market, though actual market rents are not provided in the dataset. Given the limited number of renters and the absence of precise market rent data, it is challenging to determine how closely the actual rents align with the FMR.
From an investment perspective, ZIP 50839 may be better suited for a hands-off voucher operator rather than a hands-on value-add buyer. With such a low percentage of renters and a small population, there is little room for significant growth or improvement in rental properties. The lack of data on median home values and market rents further suggests that active management would face considerable challenges due to the scarcity of comparable metrics. Therefore, for a landlord or small-portfolio investor looking to operate in this ZIP code, focusing on maintaining a stable portfolio through Section 8 vouchers might be the most practical approach.
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.