Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 79377 - 2027

Location: Dawson County, TX | Metro: Dawson County, TX

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$910
1 Bedroom	$910
2 Bedrooms	$1,200
3 Bedrooms	$1,450
4 Bedrooms	$1,740
5 Bedrooms	$2,018
6 Bedrooms	$2,260
7 Bedrooms	$2,441
8 Bedrooms	$2,563

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

230

Median Household Income

$44,000

Housing Units

122

Renter Percentage

31.1%

Occupancy Rate

73.8%

Renter Occupied

A landlord considering investing in ZIP code 79377 for Section 8 properties must follow a structured decision-making process. The first step involves evaluating if the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,070 for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 can cover the debt service on a property. Unfortunately, the data does not provide the necessary information regarding the average debt service cost for properties in this ZIP code, making it impossible to give a definitive answer on this point.

If you determine that the FMR does indeed cover the debt service, the next question is whether the market rent of $725, based on the latest Census ACS data, is above, at, or below the FMR. Given the figures, the market rent is below the FMR, indicating that landlords might find it challenging to charge the full FMR amount due to competitive pressures from market rents. This suggests a potential risk of lower occupancy rates or difficulty in renting out units at the FMR.

The third consideration is the demand for rental properties. In ZIP 79377, 31.1% of the population are renters. Additionally, the data indicates an unknown number of days on the market (DOM), which complicates the analysis of how quickly units might be rented. Assuming the DOM is reasonable, the percentage of renters could support a viable investment, but if the DOM is high, it implies a slower turnover rate and possibly less demand, leading to a less favorable investment scenario.

To summarize:

If the FMR of $1,070 covers the debt service and there's sufficient demand with a reasonable DOM, then the answer is Yes. A landlord can expect steady cash flows from Section 8 tenants.
If the FMR does not cover the debt service, the answer is No. Investing in this ZIP code would likely result in financial losses.
If the market rent is significantly below the FMR and the DOM is high, indicating low demand, the answer is also No. Landlords may struggle to fill units and maintain profitability.
In cases where the FMR covers debt service but the market rent is below FMR, the answer is It Depends. The viability hinges on the balance between the subsidy and the market conditions, along with the specific property's location and appeal.

Note: Specific property details such as the exact debt service and DOM figures are required to make a final decision. The provided data lacks these specifics, which are crucial for a comprehensive analysis.

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.