Chisago County, Minnesota Eviction Risk: Moderate

Chisago County, Minnesota scores 4.7/10 (Moderate) on the eviction-risk index, averaged across 10 cities in a county of roughly 41,988 residents. That moderate label carries a meaningful caveat: the county ranks 16th out of 87 Minnesota counties, meaning only 15 counties in the state present greater risk to landlords, placing Chisago in the higher-risk third statewide. Operating conditions here are workable, but not uniformly forgiving.

The internal spread tells a more layered story. City-level scores run from 4.4 to 5/10, a range wide enough that two properties just a few miles apart can sit in entirely different risk tiers. Average rent across the county is $1,178, and the average rent-burden rate of 32.3% signals that a meaningful share of tenants are stretching financially, which elevates collection and vacancy risk for landlords in softer parts of the market.

The cities inside Chisago County

The highest-risk city in the county is Chisago City, which scores 5/10, the top of the local range. With a population of 4,384, it is a mid-sized community where landlords should price in a tighter margin for error. North Branch, the county's largest city at 11,565 people, and Taylors Falls both come in at 4.6/10, and Rush City follows at 4.8/10. These four cities form the county's elevated-risk cluster and warrant more selective tenant screening practices and stronger lease documentation.

On the lower end, Wyoming scores 4.4/10 (population 8,087), Shafer and Chisago City each score 5/10, and Lindstrom comes in at 4.8/10. For investors building a portfolio inside Chisago County, the spread between Wyoming eviction laws at 4.6 and Stacy at 4.4/10 underscores how hyper-local eviction risk is, and why a county-level average alone is insufficient for underwriting decisions.

State-level laws that apply here

Every landlord in Minnesota operates under Minn. Stat. § 504B (Landlord and Tenant). For nonpayment of rent, the required notice is 14 days under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291. A material lease violation or the end of a month-to-month tenancy each require a 30-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. Minnesota does not require just cause for most nonrenewal situations, and there is no statewide rent cap. Landlords must provide 24 hours notice before entry. Understanding the full Minnesota eviction process before your first filing is essential, as an uncontested case typically resolves in 30 to 60 days, while a contested proceeding can run 60 to 150 days.

On the cost side, court filing fees run $310 to $410, the sheriff lockout fee adds $55 to $150, and attorney fees, if needed, typically range from $750 to $3,000. Reviewing Minnesota eviction costs before acquiring a property helps landlords model downside scenarios accurately. Source of income is a protected class under state fair housing rules enforced by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, an important screening compliance point.

With an average poverty rate of 6.5% and a renter share of just 18% across the county, Chisago County is predominantly owner-occupied, which concentrates rental demand in specific pockets; see the city grid above to identify where that demand, and the associated risk, actually sits.