Location: Dodge County, WI | Metro: Dodge County, WI
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 | $730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $810 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,578 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,767 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,908 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,003 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,010 | $207,573 | 0.49% | F |
| 3BR | $1,350 | $289,105 | 0.47% | F |
| 4BR | $1,360 | $328,428 | 0.41% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math in ZIP code 53050 within Dodge County, Wisconsin, does not work favorably for landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $970, while the actual market rent based on Census ACS data is $845. This discrepancy suggests that landlords might struggle to cover costs if they aim to charge the FMR, as tenants are only willing to pay $845 on average.
Regarding acquisition affordability, the median home value in ZIP 53050 is $287,794. Unfortunately, the data does not provide insights into the number of days on the market (DOM) or the percentage of homes needing price cuts to sell. This lack of information makes it challenging to assess the ease or difficulty of acquiring properties in this area.
Tenant demand is moderate. With a total population of 7,159, approximately 23.6% are renters. This indicates a steady but not overwhelming pool of potential tenants. However, the limited population size could mean that finding enough qualified tenants might be a challenge, especially if the rental market is competitive.
In summary, ZIP 53050 presents a scenario where the rent math is unfavorable due to the gap between FMR and actual market rent. Acquisition affordability remains unclear without additional data points such as DOM and price-cut percentages. Tenant demand is present but not robust, given the small population and relatively low renter share. Landlords and small-portfolio investors should proceed with caution, considering these factors before investing in this ZIP code.
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.