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)
The rent math in ZIP code 51520 does not work favorably for landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the Crawford County, IA metro area for fiscal year 2026 is set at $920, while the actual market rent based on Census ACS data stands at only $592. This discrepancy means that landlords would be earning significantly less than the government benchmark suggests they should, leading to reduced profitability.
Regarding acquisition affordability, the data is incomplete, showing N/A for the median home value, days on market (DOM), and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts. Without these figures, it's impossible to make a definitive judgment on whether purchasing properties in this area is financially sensible. However, the lack of available data can indicate either a stable market with little turnover or a scarcity of recent transactions, both of which could affect an investor's ability to acquire properties at favorable terms.
Tenant demand in ZIP 51520 is relatively low. With a total population of 243 and only 22.2% of residents being renters, the pool of potential tenants is quite limited. This small number of renters could lead to increased vacancy rates and difficulty in finding new tenants, especially if the local economy is not robust enough to attract more people to the area.
In summary, ZIP code 51520 presents significant challenges for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The rent math does not align well with the FMR, suggesting lower-than-desired returns. Incomplete data on acquisition metrics makes it difficult to assess the ease of buying properties, but the limited tenant base poses a serious risk to occupancy rates and overall investment success. Given these factors, investing in this ZIP code is not advisable unless other compensating factors are present, such as unique property opportunities or a niche rental market.
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.