Location: Hawaii County, HI | Metro: Hawaii County, HI
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,440 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,450 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,870 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,360 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,730 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,167 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,547 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,831 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,023 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 96780, with a population of 400, has a relatively small number of residents. Among them, only 14.5% are renters, indicating that this area is predominantly homeowner-dominated rather than a renter-heavy zone. This suggests that the demand for rental properties using Section 8 vouchers will be limited compared to areas with higher percentages of renters.
The median household income in this ZIP code is $66,250, which is a key figure when considering the financial capacity of potential tenants. However, without specific data on market rents, it's challenging to provide an exact percentage of how much of the local income goes towards typical rent payments. Nevertheless, we can use the Fair Market Rent (FMR) as a benchmark for comparison.
The FMR for the area, set at $1,870 per month for fiscal year 2026, represents the maximum amount that a Section 8 voucher holder can pay towards their rent. This figure is crucial for understanding the affordability threshold for subsidized housing in the region.
To put this into perspective, if we assume that the typical market rent aligns closely with the FMR, then a household would spend approximately 28.2% of their annual income on rent ($1,870 * 12 months / $66,250). This calculation is based on the assumption that the market rent is similar to the FMR, which might not always be the case but provides a useful estimate.
A landlord in ZIP 96780 can expect a tenant profile that includes individuals and families who qualify for Section 8 vouchers due to lower income levels. These tenants will likely be constrained by the voucher amount of $1,870 per month, making properties priced around or below this limit more attractive. Given the small size of the renter pool, competition among landlords for these vouchers may be less intense, but it also means that the overall rental market is smaller.
In summary, ZIP 96780 is not a renter-heavy area with deep voucher demand. The expected tenant pool will have limited financial resources, relying heavily on Section 8 assistance to afford housing. Landlords should focus on offering affordable units that meet the needs of low-income families and individuals, ensuring that rents do not exceed the voucher limits to attract tenants effectively.
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.