Marshall County, Minnesota Eviction Risk: Moderate

Marshall County sits in the far northwest corner of Minnesota along the Canadian border, covering a sparsely settled agricultural landscape with a total population of 3,162 spread across eight communities. The county earns a Moderate 4.4/10 eviction risk score - ranking 87th out of 87 Minnesota counties, which means every other county in the state carries higher eviction risk. For landlords, that is the most favorable position available in Minnesota.

Average rent across the county is $648 per month, and renters spend an average of 24.3% of their income on housing - a figure that falls below the standard 30% cost-burden threshold. About 28.9% of households are renters, and the poverty rate sits at 11.1%. Warren, the county seat and by far the largest community at 1,680 residents, scores 4.4/10. The two riskiest communities are Holt and Strandquist, each scoring 5/10, while Newfolden, Viking, and Strathcona each come in at the low end at 4.2/10. Argyle (4.5/10, population 486) and Middle River (4.3/10, population 319) round out the county's eight tracked cities. The score range of 4.2 to 5 across these communities is narrow, reflecting a fairly uniform local rental environment.

Minnesota's eviction framework under Minn. Stat. § 504B (Landlord and Tenant) applies statewide. A nonpayment-of-rent case requires a 14-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291 before filing. Material lease violations and month-to-month terminations each require 30 days under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. Court filing fees run $310 to $410, sheriff lockout fees add $55 to $150, and attorney costs typically range $750 to $3,000 depending on complexity. An uncontested case resolves in 30 to 60 days; a contested hearing can stretch 60 to 150 days. Minnesota requires a 24-hour entry notice under the habitability statute Minn. Stat. § 504B.161, and retaliation against a tenant for asserting legal rights is prohibited by Minn. Stat. § 504B.441. Minnesota also protects source of income - landlords cannot reject applicants solely because they use a housing voucher. There is no statewide rent control and no just-cause eviction requirement, and Minnesota does not preempt local rent-control ordinances, though no Marshall County municipality currently has one in effect.

Marshall County's low regional density and agricultural economy keep rent levels well below statewide averages, which contributes directly to its bottom-of-the-risk-scale position among all 87 Minnesota eviction laws counties.