Caldwell County, Missouri Eviction Risk: Very Low

Caldwell County sits in northwest Missouri with a total population of roughly 4,480 spread across 8 incorporated communities. The county earns a Low eviction risk score of 2.2/10, placing it 102nd out of Missouri eviction laws's 115 counties - only 13 counties in the state show a friendlier landlord-tenant environment. That combination of thin population density, modest rental prices, and a legal framework that gives landlords clear procedural footing makes Caldwell one of the quieter rental markets in the state.

Average rent sits at $661 per month, and the average rent burden stands at 20.6% of household income - well below the 30% threshold typically associated with housing stress. About 35.3% of residents rent rather than own, and the average poverty rate is 16.2%. That poverty figure is worth watching: while the risk score itself is low, a 16.2% poverty rate means a meaningful share of tenants are operating on tight margins and could face payment difficulty during an income disruption. Landlords who maintain open communication with tenants at that economic edge tend to avoid the court system entirely.

Hamilton (population 1,755) is the county seat and largest community, scoring 2.2/10. Braymer (795 residents) and Kidder (501 residents) follow as the next most populated towns. On the riskier end of the county's narrow range, Cowgill scores 2.6/10 and Polo and Kingston each score 2.3/10 - still solidly Low, but worth noting if you're comparing individual city pages. The county's score range of 2.0 to 2.6 is tight, reflecting consistent conditions across all 8 cities rather than any pockets of concentrated stress. Under RSMo § 441 (Landlord and Tenant), Missouri eviction laws law does not require just cause for termination and does not cap rents at the state level - and state preemption blocks any local jurisdiction from imposing rent control either. Nonpayment evictions under RSMo § 535.010 require no advance notice period before filing; the landlord files a rent-and-possession action and the matter proceeds from there. Court filing fees in Missouri eviction laws run $70 to $180, with sheriff lockout fees of $40 to $150. Attorney costs for a full eviction typically run $500 to $3,000 depending on whether the case is contested. Uncontested cases resolve in roughly 21 to 45 days; contested matters stretch to 45 to 120 days. For month-to-month tenancies, a 30-day notice under RSMo § 441.060 is required before termination, and a 10-day notice covers material lease violations under the same statute.

Caldwell County's eviction risk score draws from rental market data, poverty and rent-burden levels, and the Missouri eviction laws statutory framework governing landlord-tenant relations, as documented in the Eviction Risk Map methodology.