Suwannee County, Florida Eviction Risk: Low

Suwannee County sits in north-central Florida eviction laws with a rental population of roughly 7,935 residents and an average rent of $903 per month. The county scores 2.5/10 on the Eviction Risk Map index, placing it in the Low risk tier. That said, a rank of 17th out of 67 Florida counties puts Suwannee in the higher-risk third of the state - 16 counties carry a higher score, while 50 are less risky for landlords operating here. Investors and property managers considering this market should read the Low label alongside that state context.

The two tracked cities - Live Oak (population 6,985, score 2.5/10) and Branford (population 950, score 2.1/10) - span a modest range. Live Oak, the county seat and by far the largest rental market, sits at the upper end of that band and accounts for the bulk of county activity. Branford is a smaller riverfront community with a somewhat lower score, though both cities remain well within the Low tier. An average rent burden of 23.5% and a poverty rate of 17.3% signal that a meaningful share of Suwannee renters carry financial stress, which can translate into a higher proportion of non-payment cases even in a legally landlord-friendly environment. The renter share stands at 53% of the tracked population, a notably high fraction for a rural north Florida county.

On the legal side, Suwannee County landlords operate entirely under Fla. Stat. § 83 Part II (Residential Tenancies) with no local overlays. Florida preempts local rent control under FL Stat §125.0103, so neither Live Oak nor Branford can impose rent caps. A non-payment case starts with a 3-day notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3); a curable lease violation requires a 7-day notice under § 83.56(2)(b). If the case goes uncontested, expect 20-30 days to judgment. A contested matter can run 45-110 days. Court filing fees range from $185 to $400, sheriff lockout fees from $90 to $175, and attorney fees from $750 to $3,500 depending on case complexity. Landlord entry requires 12 hours' advance notice under Florida statute. Retaliatory eviction is prohibited under Fla. Stat. § 83.64, and habitability obligations are governed by Fla. Stat. § 83.51. Source-of-income is not a protected class in Florida, and no just-cause requirement applies at lease end.

Suwannee County's 2.5/10 Low score reflects a landlord-friendly legal framework under Florida eviction laws's uniform residential tenancy statute, tempered by a 17.3% poverty rate and a 53% renter share that create above-average financial stress among tenants in Live Oak and Branford.