Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 68879 - 2027

Location: Loup County, NE | Metro: Blaine County, NE

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$750
1 Bedroom	$820
2 Bedrooms	$1,080
3 Bedrooms	$1,430
4 Bedrooms	$1,490
5 Bedrooms	$1,728
6 Bedrooms	$1,935
7 Bedrooms	$2,090
8 Bedrooms	$2,195

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

377

Median Household Income

$80,893

Housing Units

186

Renter Percentage

22.0%

Occupancy Rate

75.8%

Renter Occupied

A landlord considering ZIP code 68879 for Section 8 investments must follow a structured decision-making process based on financial and market conditions. The first step is to evaluate whether the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,190 for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 can cover the debt service on a property. Given that the property type is listed as N/A, it's impossible to provide a definitive answer without knowing the specifics of the property, such as its mortgage payments and other fixed costs.

If the FMR does indeed clear the debt service, the next question is to compare the market rent of $1,038, derived from the Census American Community Survey (ACS), against the FMR. In this case, the market rent is below the FMR, indicating that properties in this ZIP code could potentially be underpriced relative to what tenants might receive in rental assistance. This suggests that landlords could increase rents to align more closely with the FMR, assuming the local market supports such increases.

The third consideration is the demand for rental properties. With 22.0% of residents being renters, there is a significant portion of the population looking for housing. However, the days on market (DOM) is listed as N/A, which means we lack critical data on how quickly rental units are typically leased. Without this information, assessing the overall demand becomes challenging. If the DOM is low, it indicates strong demand; conversely, high DOM values suggest weak demand.

Decision Tree:

If FMR of $1,190 covers the debt service and market rent is below FMR, consider increasing rent rates to match the FMR. This would likely make the investment more attractive.
If the DOM is low, despite the market rent being below FMR, the demand is sufficient to support Section 8 investments. Proceed with caution, ensuring that increased rent rates do not deter potential tenants.
If the DOM is high, even if the FMR clears debt service, the weak demand may not justify the investment. Landlords should seek additional market insights or consider other ZIP codes with stronger demand indicators.

In summary, the viability of purchasing in ZIP 68879 for Section 8 purposes hinges on the ability of FMR to cover debt service, the relationship between market rent and FMR, and the strength of rental demand as indicated by DOM. Each factor must be assessed in context, leading to a clear yes, no, or it depends based on the specific numbers and local market dynamics.

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.