Lawrence County, Illinois Eviction Risk: Moderate

Lawrence County, Illinois eviction laws carries an average eviction-risk score of 3.1/10 (Low), placing it at rank 78 of 102 Illinois counties, meaning 77 counties in the state score higher and carry more operating risk for landlords. With only 24 counties registering lower risk, Lawrence County sits comfortably in the lower-risk third of Illinois, a meaningful signal for investors weighing rural downstate markets. The county's 5 cities collectively serve a total population of 8,842, with an average rent of $763 and an average rent burden of 26.6%, a figure that suggests most renters are not spending an extreme share of income on housing.

The intra-county range of 2.8 to 3.4 indicates modest variation across localities, so the county-level average is a reasonably accurate guide to conditions rather than a smoothed average hiding volatile outliers. A renter share of 33.2% means rental units make up roughly a third of occupied housing, a moderate base that keeps competition manageable without the vacancy pressure common in larger metros. Landlords operating here face a relatively straightforward regulatory environment, as detailed below.

The cities inside Lawrence County

Lawrenceville is the county seat and its largest city, with a population of 3,941 and the county's highest risk score at 3.4/10. That figure still falls in the Low tier overall, but investors acquiring rental units in Lawrenceville should budget for a somewhat higher probability of eviction proceedings relative to the rest of the county. Russellville, a small community of 87 residents, scores 3/10, and Bridgeport (population 1,826) scores 2.9/10, both clustering near the county average.

The lowest-risk markets are Sumner and St. Francisville, each scoring 2.8/10. Sumner has a population of 2,252, making it the second-largest city in the county, which is a useful reminder that risk is hyper-local, as the second-largest market also happens to be among the most landlord-favorable. Investors comparing assets across the county should evaluate each city's score independently rather than relying solely on the county average.

State-level laws that apply here

Illinois eviction law is governed by 735 ILCS 5/9 (Forcible Entry and Detainer). For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a 5-day notice before filing; a material lease violation requires a 10-day notice; and a month-to-month holdover requires 30 days. An end-of-fixed-term lease requires no additional notice period. Court filing fees in Illinois run $200 to $400, sheriff lockout fees add $60 to $200, and attorney fees typically range $750 to $3,500, meaning total out-of-pocket costs on a contested case can easily reach the upper end of those ranges. Uncontested cases resolve in 30 to 60 days; contested matters can run 60 to 150 days. Landlords considering Lawrence County should review the full Illinois eviction process and factor Illinois eviction costs into their underwriting before acquiring rental properties here. Illinois does not require just cause for eviction and the state preempts local rent control, so no city-level rent caps apply to Lawrence County landlords.

Lawrence County's average poverty rate of 21.6% is an important underwriting variable, as elevated poverty concentrations correlate with higher collections risk even in low-risk markets; landlords should weigh this figure alongside the individual city scores shown in the grid above.