Clayton County, Iowa Eviction Risk: Low

Clayton County carries an average eviction-risk score of 2.4/10 (Low), placing it among the more landlord-friendly corners of Iowa eviction laws. Of the 99 counties in the state, 68 score higher than Clayton County, meaning fewer than a third of Iowa counties present less operating risk here. For landlords and investors, that translates to a market where tenant-side legal leverage, rent burdens, and economic stress indicators remain relatively contained across the county's 15 incorporated cities.

Even within a generally calm county, the spread matters. City-level scores run from 2.2/10 at the low end to 3/10 at the high end, a range that is narrow in absolute terms but still meaningful when you are deciding which sub-market to enter. Average rent sits at $836 per month, and the average rent burden is 28.5% of income, both figures that suggest tenants here are not under the kind of financial pressure that typically drives payment defaults or contested proceedings.

The county's total population of 8,977 is distributed across small cities and villages, which keeps rental demand modest but also means vacancy risk is real. Investors who factor in both eviction probability and lease-up time will find Clayton County a cautious but defensible choice.

The cities inside Clayton County

Risk is genuinely hyper-local even in a low-scoring county. North Buena Vista sits at the top of the local risk range at 3/10, the only city in the county that reaches that threshold. Below it, McGregor (population 719) and Marquette (population 443) each score 2.6/10, positioning them as the most active risk pockets among the larger communities. Guttenberg, the county's most populous city at 1,782 residents, and Monona at 1,531, both score 2.5/10, sitting just above the county average.

At the lower end, Elkader (population 1,293) is the standout at 2.2/10, the most landlord-favorable score in the county. Strawberry Point and Garnavillo both score 2.4/10, matching the county average and representing a stable middle ground for buy-and-hold strategies. Landlords comparing options across Iowa eviction laws should check individual city pages before committing capital, since even a 0.4-point difference in score can reflect meaningfully different eviction frequency and local economic conditions.

State-level laws that apply here

All residential tenancies in Clayton County fall under Iowa eviction laws Code § 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law). For nonpayment of rent, Iowa eviction laws landlords must give 3 days notice before filing; a lease violation triggers a 7-day cure notice; ending a month-to-month tenancy requires 30 days notice. Iowa eviction laws does not require just cause to terminate a tenancy, and the state preempts local rent-control ordinances, so no city in Clayton County can impose rent caps independently. Understanding the Iowa eviction laws eviction process fully, including the notice sequence and court procedures, is the first step for any landlord operating here.

On the cost side, Iowa eviction costs involve a court filing fee of $95 to $200, a sheriff lockout fee of $50 to $150, and attorney fees that typically range from $500 to $2,500 depending on complexity. Uncontested cases generally resolve in 21 to 40 days; contested proceedings can stretch to 45 to 100 days. Iowa security deposit limits and Iowa tenant protections set additional boundaries landlords must respect under § 562A.15 (habitability) and § 562A.36 (retaliation), both of which carry meaningful liability if violated. Landlords must also provide 24 hours advance notice before entry.

With a poverty rate of 13.4% and a renter share of 26.9% across the county, Clayton County's rental market is small but relatively stable; the city grid above breaks down scores for each community so you can pinpoint the specific sub-market that fits your risk tolerance.