Location: Zapata County, TX | Metro: Starr County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,480 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,717 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,923 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,077 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 78545 stands out due to its unique demographic and economic characteristics. With only 392 residents, it has a notably low population size. What's particularly striking is that there are no renters reported in this ZIP, indicating a community where homeownership is the sole form of housing. The median income here is $24,550, which is significantly lower compared to national averages. However, the lack of data on median home values suggests that either the number of homes is too small to provide meaningful statistics, or there is a dearth of recent sales data.
Moving to the specifics of Section 8 voucher economics, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $980. This figure is crucial for understanding the rental assistance landscape in the area. However, without a clear market rent figure for ZIP 78545, it's challenging to compare the FMR directly to local conditions. This absence of market rent data could indicate that the rental market in this ZIP is either non-existent or extremely limited, making it difficult to gauge the impact of Section 8 vouchers.
Given the data signature, ZIP 78545 appears to be a stable community with strong tendencies towards homeownership and a very small population. The lack of rental activity and limited data on home values suggest that this ZIP might not be a typical candidate for significant changes in housing dynamics driven by rental assistance programs. Landlords and small-portfolio investors should consider these factors when evaluating potential investments or participation in Section 8 programs within this ZIP.
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.