Dothan, AL Eviction Risk Score Houston County · Alabama · Population 71,514

Dothan, AL has an eviction risk score of 2.5 out of 10, placing it in the low-risk tier for landlords operating in Houston County and the state of Alabama. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.

Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 28.7% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in Dothan is $960/month. About 42.9% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.

Economic stress: poverty rate 19.2%, unemployment 4.5%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.

Political climate: In 2020, Houston County voted Republican by 42.7 points — classified as strongly landlord-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.

What this score means for landlords

At 2.5/10, Dothan is a lower-risk environment. Standard screening, documented notices, and prompt action on non-payment typically resolve quickly. Still follow your state's specific notice and service requirements.

Nearby Cities — Eviction Risk Comparison

Landlord Guides & Research Tools

Deepen your market research with these ACS-data guides. The metrics powering this score feed directly into each ranking.

• Rent Control Cities 2026 — Full National List & Map
• Best Cities for Landlords 2026 — see where Dothan ranks nationally
• Most Rent-Burdened Cities in America — ACS 2023 leaderboard
• Alabama Eviction Risk Overview — all counties & cities in Alabama
• Houston County — compare every city in the county