Crow Wing County, Minnesota Eviction Risk: Moderate

Crow Wing County carries an average eviction risk score of 4.9/10, placing it in the Moderate tier and in the higher-risk third of Minnesota. Of the state's 87 counties, 19 score higher and 67 score lower, putting Crow Wing at rank 20. For landlords, that positioning means operating costs and tenant-related friction are meaningfully above the state midpoint, even if conditions fall short of the most distressed urban markets.

Across the county's 18 tracked cities, scores range from 4.2 to 5.2 out of 10, a 1.4-point spread that matters considerably at the property level. The county also carries a 33.4% renter share and an average rent burden of 28.3%, reflecting a renter base that spends a meaningful portion of income on housing, which can translate to payment volatility during economic softness.

The cities inside Crow Wing County

The highest-risk cities in the county all sit at 5.3/10: Brainerd (population 14,468), Baxter (population 8,966), Crosby (population 2,218), Deerwood, and Ironton. Brainerd and Baxter together account for the bulk of the county's rental inventory and represent the most operationally demanding environments for landlords, combining the county's top risk score with its two largest renter pools.

Investors looking for lower-risk footholds within the county should look closely at Nisswa (4.2/10, population 1,954) and Breezy Point (4.7/10, population 2,687). Both sit well below the county average and represent the most landlord-friendly conditions available here. Risk is genuinely hyper-local in Crow Wing County: two neighboring cities can differ by more than a full point on the 10-point scale, so city-level due diligence is essential before acquiring or expanding a rental portfolio.

State-level laws that apply here

All landlords operating in Crow Wing County are governed by Minnesota state law, primarily Minn. Stat. § 504B (Landlord and Tenant). For nonpayment of rent, Minnesota requires a 14-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291. A material lease violation or an end-of-month-to-month tenancy each require 30 days notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. Minnesota does not require just cause to terminate a tenancy, and there is currently no statewide rent control formula. Landlords must give 24 hours advance notice before entering a unit.

Understanding the Minnesota eviction process is important for budgeting: court filing fees run $310 to $410, sheriff lockout fees add $55 to $150, and attorney fees for a contested matter typically range from $750 to $3,000. An uncontested case resolves in roughly 30 to 60 days; a contested one can stretch to 60 to 150 days. Minnesota eviction costs are therefore a real line item, and landlords who let problem tenancies linger risk absorbing multiple months of lost rent on top of legal fees. Minnesota security deposit limits and Minnesota tenant protections are covered in detail in the statewide guides linked throughout this site.

With a poverty rate of 12.4% and renters making up 33.4% of the county's households, Crow Wing County presents a tenant base with genuine financial stress exposure. The city grid above breaks down individual risk scores so you can compare Brainerd, Nisswa, Baxter, and every other city in the county before committing capital.