Baker County, Florida Eviction Risk: Low

Baker County sits at the very bottom of Florida eviction laws's eviction risk scale, earning a score of 3.6/10 - the lowest of all 67 Florida counties. That ranking places it further from risk than every other county in the state, with 66 counties carrying a higher score. The rental market here is small and relatively quiet: roughly 8,360 residents across two incorporated places, with only about 24% choosing to rent rather than own. Average monthly rent runs $1,356, and renters on average spend 24.5% of income on housing - well below the 30% threshold that signals cost stress. The county poverty rate sits at 10.5%, consistent with rural North Florida norms.

Macclenny, the county seat and by far the largest place in Baker County, holds a population of 7,748 and an individual city score of 3.6/10. Glen St. Mary - with only 612 residents - scores slightly higher at 3.2/10, making it technically the riskiest city in the county, though that distinction carries little practical weight at scores this low. For landlords, the combination of modest rents, a small renter pool, and Florida's landlord-favorable statutory framework keeps the operating environment predictable. For tenants, the low poverty rate and moderate rent burden mean eviction pressure is genuinely limited compared to Florida's denser urban markets.

Florida governs residential tenancies statewide under Fla. Stat. § 83 Part II (Residential Tenancies), and Baker County operates entirely within that framework - no local rent control, no just-cause eviction requirement. The state preempts local rent stabilization ordinances under FL Stat. §125.0103 except in declared housing emergencies, so neither Macclenny nor Glen St. Mary can layer additional tenant protections on top of state law. Non-payment of rent triggers a 3-day notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3). Material non-compliance - whether curable or non-curable - requires a 7-day notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2). Month-to-month tenancies require 15 days' notice to terminate under Fla. Stat. § 83.57(3). Unauthorized occupants with no rental agreement can be removed immediately under Fla. Stat. § 82.036 (HB-621, 2024). Court filing costs range from $185 to $400, sheriff lockout fees from $90 to $175, and attorney fees typically fall between $750 and $3,500 for eviction proceedings. Uncontested cases typically resolve in 20 to 30 days; contested matters can run 45 to 110 days.

Baker County's low renter share (24%) and below-average rent burden (24.5%) reflect the largely owner-occupied, rural character of this small North Florida eviction laws county, where rental demand stays thin and eviction filings are uncommon relative to the rest of the state.