Calhoun County, Iowa Eviction Risk: Low

Calhoun County scores 1.8/10 (Low) on the EvictionRiskMap scale, averaged across 13 cities and a total county population of 7,893. That figure places the county at rank 98 of 99 Iowa counties, meaning 97 counties carry higher eviction risk, and only one is more landlord-friendly. For investors and operators, Calhoun County sits firmly in the lower-risk tier of Iowa eviction laws, with average rent at $730, a rent burden of 23.9%, and a renter share of 22.5% across the county. These numbers describe a stable, modestly sized rental base rather than a volatile urban market.

The intra-county spread runs from a low of 1.3/10 to a high of 2.1/10, a range that matters at the property level. Even within a low-risk county like this one in Iowa, the individual city you choose to operate in shifts your risk profile meaningfully. Investors should treat county-level averages as orientation, not precision guidance.

The cities inside Calhoun County

At the higher end of the county's range, Lohrville leads with a score of 2.1/10 (population 277), tied at the county ceiling with no other city reaching that mark. Manson follows at 2.0/10 with a population of 1,645, and both Lake City and Lytton sit at 1.9/10. Even the highest-scoring cities in Calhoun County would be considered low-risk in most other states, but landlords in Lohrville and Manson should expect a marginally tighter operating environment compared to the rest of the county.

The county seat, Rockwell City, is the most populous city at 2,401 residents and carries one of the lower risk scores in the county at 1.6/10. Twin Lakes and Pomeroy, each scoring 1.7/10, also rank near the favorable end. The city grid below covers all 13 cities and lets you compare scores directly before committing to a specific submarket.

State-level laws that apply here

Iowa law governs landlord-tenant relations statewide under Iowa Code § 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law). For non-payment of rent, landlords must deliver a 3-day notice before filing; a lease-violation cure notice requires 7 days, and a no-cause end-of-term termination requires 30 days. Iowa requires 24 hours notice before entry. Understanding the Iowa eviction process from notice to writ is essential before placing tenants, because even a straightforward uncontested case runs 21 to 40 days from filing to judgment, and a contested matter can stretch to 45 to 100 days.

Iowa eviction costs add up quickly when a case goes sideways. Court filing fees range from $95 to $200, sheriff lockout fees from $50 to $150, and attorney fees from $500 to $2,500, depending on complexity. Iowa imposes no rent control and requires no just cause for non-renewal, and state law preempts any local government from creating rent caps. Source-of-income is not a protected class under Iowa state law, though landlords should confirm any local ordinance status. Iowa security deposit limits and tenant protections beyond the statutory baseline are covered in the statewide guides linked throughout this site.

With a poverty rate of 9.4% and a renter share of 22.5%, Calhoun County's rental market is lean but stable. Use the city grid above to compare individual city scores before selecting a submarket.