Calloway County, Kentucky Eviction Risk: Low

Calloway County, Kentucky scores 2.5/10 (Low risk) across its 3 tracked cities, placing it in the middle third of Kentucky's 120 counties. With 63 counties scoring higher and 56 scoring lower, landlords here face conditions that are measurably calmer than most of the state, though not the easiest operating environment Kentucky offers. The county's average rent of $864 and a rent burden rate of 27.4% suggest tenants are, on balance, managing their housing costs without severe financial stress, which tends to correlate with lower eviction pressure.

The intra-county score range of 1.9 to 3 is relatively tight, meaning the gap between Calloway County's most and least investor-friendly communities is modest. That said, a renter share of 57.5% of occupied units and a poverty rate of 25% are numbers worth keeping in view, as they indicate a tenant base with limited financial cushion if economic conditions shift.

The cities inside Calloway County

The highest-risk location in Calloway County is Hazel, which carries a score of 3/10. Despite a very small population of 299, Hazel's score sits notably above the county average, making it the one spot in the county where landlords should apply extra screening diligence before placing tenants.

Murray is the county's dominant city by far, home to 18,080 of the county's 18,502 total residents, and it scores exactly at the county average of 2.5/10. For most investors considering Calloway County, Murray eviction risk is effectively the market, and its Low-risk score reflects a relatively stable landlord-tenant environment for a small Kentucky city. Dexter, the smallest tracked community at 123 residents, scores the lowest in the county at 2.4/10, making it the most landlord-friendly location, though its very limited rental stock makes it a niche rather than a scalable play. Risk in Calloway County is hyper-local: a tenth of a point can separate the best and worst pocket, so investors should evaluate each city individually rather than relying on the county average alone.

State-level laws that apply here

Kentucky state law, under KRS § 383.500 et seq. (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), sets the procedural framework landlords in Calloway County must follow. For non-payment of rent, the required notice is 7 days. Lease violations that may be cured require a 14-day notice, while a no-cause termination at the end of a lease term requires 30 days. Kentucky does not require just cause for non-renewal, and there is no statewide rent cap, with the state also preempting any local rent control ordinances, meaning Calloway County landlords face no rent regulation at any level. Understanding the Kentucky eviction process fully is important before filing: an uncontested case typically resolves in 21 to 45 days, while a contested matter can stretch from 45 to 120 days. On the cost side, court filing fees run $150 to $250, sheriff lockout fees add another $40 to $150, and attorney fees range from $500 to $2,500 depending on case complexity. Investors planning their operating budgets should also factor in Kentucky eviction costs alongside those notice and timeline requirements.

With 57.5% of occupied units renter-occupied and a poverty rate of 25%, Calloway County's rental demand is real but financially concentrated, making tenant selection the lever that matters most; see the city grid above to compare scores across Murray eviction risk, Hazel, and Dexter before committing capital.