Location: Douglas County, IL | Metro: Douglas County, IL
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $650 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,240 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,560 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,027 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,189 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,298 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 61941, located within the Douglas County, IL metro area, has a Family Monthly Rent (FMR) of $920 for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that a household paying 30 percent of its income toward housing should pay in rent for a modest home. In comparison to other ZIP codes within Douglas County, the lack of available market rent and home value data for 61941 makes it challenging to draw direct comparisons. However, the 0.0% renter share indicates that very few residents in this ZIP code rent their homes, suggesting a strong preference for homeownership.
Given the $920 FMR, 61941 appears to be a value pocket within the Douglas County, IL metro area. The absence of market rent data implies that rental properties might be scarce or less significant compared to owner-occupied homes. Similarly, the lack of home value data could indicate that property valuations are not widely tracked or reported, which is common in areas with predominantly owner-occupied housing and fewer transactions.
The 0.0% renter share stands out as an anomaly when considering typical trends in real estate markets. Normally, a higher renter share with lower-than-average home values would signal a potential sweet spot for Section 8 properties. However, since 61941 shows a zero renter share, it suggests that the majority of residents own their homes rather than renting them. This characteristic aligns with the notion of 61941 being a value pocket where the cost of living, as indicated by the FMR, is relatively low compared to other parts of the metro area, but the focus is on homeownership rather than rentals.
To further contextualize, landlords and small-portfolio investors should consider the broader economic conditions and housing preferences in Douglas County, IL. While 61941 may not offer the typical signs of a Section 8-friendly neighborhood, such as a high renter share, the low FMR could still present opportunities for affordable housing investments that cater to low-income families seeking stable, long-term housing solutions.
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.