What is the eviction risk score for Dedham?

The landlord eviction risk score for Dedham, MA is 5.2 out of 10, rated Moderate risk.

Does Dedham have rent control?

The rent-control risk score for Dedham is 7.7 out of 10.

How long does an eviction take in Dedham?

Typical eviction timeline is about 188 days from notice to writ of possession.

Dedham, MA Eviction Risk Score Norfolk County · Massachusetts · Population 25,237

5.2 Moderate

48.5%Tenant-law probability

$11,735–30,580Typical eviction cost

188 daysTypical timeline

$2,042Median gross rent

33.2%Rent burden

26.6%Renters

Sub-score breakdown

Local political climate

7.1

Dem margin +36.3% in 2020

Regional political climate

7.1

Dem margin +36.3% in 2020

State political climate

6.2

Economic stress

4.2

4.6% poverty · 3.6% unemployed

Supply constraint

7.7

$2,042 median rent · 26.6% renters

Rent-control risk

7.7

33.2% rent burden

Eviction process difficulty

5.7

Tenant organizing strength

6.0

26.6% renters

Housing court bias

5.3

Sub-scores are national percentile rankings (1 = most landlord-friendly, 10 = most tenant-protective) derived from ACS 2023 5-year data, 2020 county presidential margin, and state law weighting. Source: ACS 2023 5-year + Gazetteer 2024.

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About eviction risk in Dedham, MA

Dedham, MA has an eviction risk score of 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for landlords operating in Norfolk County and the state of Massachusetts. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.

Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 33.2% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in Dedham is $2,042/month. About 26.6% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.

Economic stress: poverty rate 4.6%, unemployment 3.6%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.

Political climate: In 2020, Norfolk County voted Democratic by 36.3 points — classified as strongly tenant-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.

What this score means for landlords

At 5.2/10, Dedham is an elevated-risk environment. Tenant protections are stronger than the national median. Use proactive screening, document notices in writing, and understand your specific just-cause and rent-cap exposure before raising rent or terminating a tenancy.