Clark County, Kansas Eviction Risk: Very Low

Clark County, Kansas is one of the more sparsely populated corners of the state, home to just 789 residents spread across two incorporated places - Ashland (population 738) and Englewood (population 51). Despite its small footprint, the county carries meaningful data for landlords and tenants alike. The Eviction Risk Map rates Clark County at 2.1/10, placing it in the Low risk category. That score reflects favorable landlord-tenant dynamics compared to most of Kansas eviction laws: 61 of the state's 105 counties carry higher eviction risk scores, while only 43 are rated lower. In practical terms, Clark County sits in the middle third of the state but leans toward the landlord-friendly end of that band.

The rental market here is modest. Average rent across the county runs $761 per month, but rent burden tells a more nuanced story - renters here spend an average of 35.7% of income on housing, a figure that sits above the conventional 30% affordability threshold. That burden is notable given the low nominal rent, pointing to limited renter incomes in a rural economy. Only 21% of households rent, a low renter share typical of rural Kansas, and the county's 9.2% poverty rate is relatively contained. Ashland, the county seat, records the highest local score at 2.1/10, while Englewood comes in slightly lower at 1.9/10 - the full county range spans just 1.9 to 2.1, indicating consistent conditions throughout.

Kansas state law controls the landlord-tenant relationship under K.S.A. § 58-2540 et seq. (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). There is no local rent control in Clark County - Kansas preempts local rent ordinances statewide - and no just-cause eviction requirement applies. Landlords may issue a 3-day notice for non-payment, a 14-day notice to cure a lease violation, and a 30-day no-cause notice at end of term. Filing an eviction costs between $120 and $200 in court fees, with sheriff lockout fees ranging from $40 to $150. Uncontested cases typically resolve in 21 to 45 days; contested matters can stretch to 100 days. Attorney fees range from $500 to $2,500 depending on case complexity. Tenant protections are handled at the state level through the Kansas Human Rights Commission for fair housing matters, and the habitability standard is codified at K.S.A. § 58-2553, while retaliation protections sit at K.S.A. § 58-2572. Source-of-income is not a protected class under Kansas law, giving landlords broader screening discretion than in states that restrict it.

Clark County's 2.1/10 Low score reflects a rural rental market with limited regulatory pressure, modest nominal rents of $761/month, and a population of just 789 - conditions that historically produce straightforward landlord-tenant relationships under Kansas eviction laws state statute.