Location: Portage County, WI | Metro: Portage 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 | $810 |
| 1 Bedroom | $900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,170 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,390 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,786 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,000 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,160 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,268 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,170 | $282,665 | 0.41% | F |
| 3BR | $1,390 | $365,392 | 0.38% | F |
| 4BR | $1,540 | $455,566 | 0.34% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 54482, located in Stevens Point, WI, within the Portage County, WI metro area, is best suited as a cash-flow anchor within a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The key rationale lies in the significant spread between the Fair Market Rent (FMR) set at $1,120 for the fiscal year 2026 and the current market rent of $995. This difference indicates that landlords can potentially earn higher rental income by participating in the Section 8 program compared to the local market rates.
The median home value in ZIP 54482 is $366,091. This figure suggests that the housing stock is relatively stable and likely to provide consistent cash flow over time, making it an ideal anchor property. While the appreciation potential appears limited due to the absence of data on price-cut shares and days on market (DOM), the focus should be on the steady rental income rather than speculative gains.
Furthermore, ZIP 54482 has an 18.0% renter share and a median income of $94,500. These figures indicate that there is a moderate demand for rentals, and the population has sufficient income to support rental payments, including those through the Section 8 program. However, given the lack of strong appreciation indicators and the favorable FMR to market rent spread, the primary role of this ZIP code in a Section 8 portfolio should be to ensure reliable cash flow.
In summary, ZIP 54482 serves as a solid cash-flow anchor for a Section 8 portfolio. Landlords can leverage the higher FMR set by the government to secure better returns, while the stable housing values and moderate rental demand ensure a predictable and steady income stream.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.