Location: Crawford County, IA | Metro: Crawford County, IA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $690 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,280 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,320 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,531 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,715 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,852 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,945 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 51460, there are several risks that potential Section 8 landlords should be aware of. Firstly, tenant turnover can be a significant issue due to the disparity between the market rent at $693 and the Fair Market Rent (FMR) at $920 for fiscal year 2026 in the metro area. This difference suggests that tenants might struggle to afford even the lower market rent, leading to higher turnover rates and increased costs for landlords.
Secondly, vacancy exposure is a concern because the Days on Market (DOM) is listed as N/A, which indicates an incomplete dataset. Without knowing how long it typically takes to fill vacancies, landlords cannot accurately predict their cash flow or the financial impact of extended vacancy periods. This uncertainty poses a risk, especially in a market where renter demand might be price-sensitive.
Lastly, deferred maintenance exposure is another critical risk factor. The typical home value and median income being listed as N/A suggest that there is limited data available to assess the financial health of the local housing stock. This lack of information makes it difficult to gauge the condition of properties and the ability of residents to cover any maintenance costs beyond what is covered by the Section 8 program.
Despite these risks, the high renter share of 45.7% in ZIP 51460 is a positive indicator. A large proportion of renters usually translates into a higher demand for rental vouchers, which can stabilize occupancy rates. However, the absence of specific data points such as DOM, typical home value, and median income introduces considerable uncertainty into the investment analysis.
Verdict: Moderate risk for a first-time Section 8 landlord.
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.