Martin County, Minnesota Eviction Risk: Moderate

Martin County, Minnesota scores an average of 4.1/10 (Moderate) across its 9 cities, placing it at rank 68 of 87 Minnesota counties, meaning 67 counties carry higher eviction risk and only 19 are more landlord-friendly. For investors and landlords, that translates to a county sitting comfortably in the lower-risk third of the state, where operating conditions are generally predictable and tenant-population pressures remain manageable relative to most Minnesota markets.

The intra-county range runs from 4.1/10 to 4.1/10, a spread narrow enough to suggest broad consistency but wide enough that property location within the county matters. Average rent sits at $767, with an average rent burden of 31.4%, and roughly 35.4% of the population renting, which indicates a stable, if modest, rental demand base. A poverty rate of 12.8% bears watching, as it can drive collection friction in a downturn, but at current score levels the county does not present the structural risk profile of more urban Minnesota markets.

The cities inside Martin County

Risk is genuinely hyper-local here. Dunnell carries the county's highest score at 6.6/10, and Truman comes in at 4/10 with a population of 1,212. Fairmont, the county seat and by far the largest city at 10,296 residents, lands at 4.2/10, right at the county average. Sherburn (4/10, population 1,015) and Welcome (3.9/10, population 978) represent the mid-tier. At the lower end, Northrop scores 3.2/10 and Granada scores 3.3/10, making them the county's most landlord-favorable markets by this measure. Investors concentrating in Fairmont will find the broadest renter pool, while those targeting smaller towns should weigh the liquidity trade-off against the favorable risk scores in places like Northrop and Granada.

State-level laws that apply here

All landlords in Martin County operate under Minn. Stat. § 504B (Landlord and Tenant). For nonpayment of rent, Minnesota state law requires a 14-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291 before filing can proceed. A material lease violation or end of a month-to-month tenancy each require a 30-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. Landlords must provide 24 hours notice before entering a unit. Minnesota does not require just cause for nonrenewal and has no statewide rent cap, which gives landlords meaningful operational flexibility. Understanding the full Minnesota eviction process is essential before acquiring rental property here, because even an uncontested case takes 30 to 60 days, while contested matters can run 60 to 150 days.

On the cost side, court filing fees run $310 to $410, sheriff lockout fees add $55 to $150, and attorney fees for an eviction matter typically range $750 to $3,000, all governed by state statute. Reviewing Minnesota eviction costs in full before underwriting a deal here will keep assumptions realistic. Minnesota security deposit limits and Minnesota tenant protections, including the retaliation statute at Minn. Stat. § 504B.441, are also worth reviewing as part of standard due diligence on any acquisition in the county.

With a poverty rate of 12.8% and a renter share of 35.4%, Martin County carries enough rental depth to support a portfolio, and the city grid above breaks down exact risk scores for each of the 9 cities so you can compare locations before committing capital.