Fallon County, Montana Eviction Risk: Very Low

Fallon County, Montana scores 1.3/10 (Low risk) on average across its 2 cities, placing it at rank 56 of 56 Montana eviction laws counties, meaning every other county in the state carries higher eviction risk. For landlords and investors, that ranking signals a genuinely stable operating environment: tenant turnover pressure and eviction-filing frequency are among the lowest in Montana eviction laws. The county's total population is 1,698, the rental market is small, and the average rent sits at $776, keeping rent-burden modest at 21% of renter income.

Within the county, scores span a narrow band from 1.3 to 1.7, so even the highest-risk pocket is well below the state average. Renter share across the county averages 34.3%, typical for a rural Montana market. Landlords who understand the local demand dynamics will find predictable, low-volatility conditions, though the small renter pool means vacancy carries real cost and tenant selection remains as important here as anywhere.

The cities inside Fallon County

Baker, the county seat and by far its largest community at 1,489 residents, scores 1.3/10, the lowest possible reading on the index. Demand is steady relative to the supply of rentals, and the profile of tenants in Baker skews toward working households tied to agriculture and energy. At that score, landlords operating in Baker face a low-probability eviction environment compared to virtually any city in the state.

Plevna, the county's smaller community with a population of 209, scores 1.7/10, still well within the Low-risk tier. The half-point gap between Plevna and Baker is a reminder that eviction risk is hyper-local even in a small county: a single block or a single property type can shift relative risk in a community this size. Investors evaluating specific addresses in either city should treat city-level scores as a directional guide and layer in property-level due diligence.

State-level laws that apply here

Under the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (MCA § 70-24), landlords across Fallon County must serve a 3-day notice for non-payment of rent or a curable lease violation, and a 30-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy with no stated cause. Montana imposes no just-cause eviction requirement and no rent control, and the state preempts local governments from enacting rent-control ordinances, so neither Baker nor Plevna can layer on additional tenant-protection restrictions. Understanding the full Montana eviction process, including these notice timelines, is essential before pursuing any unlawful-detainer action.

Direct eviction costs under Montana law include court filing fees of $90 to $170, sheriff lockout fees of $40 to $125, and attorney fees typically ranging from $500 to $2,500. An uncontested case resolves in 21 to 45 days; a contested filing can stretch to 45 to 120 days. Montana security deposit limits and Montana eviction costs are covered in full in the statewide guides, and reviewing both before drafting a lease is worthwhile even in a low-risk county.

With a poverty rate of 11.6% and a renter share of 34.3%, Fallon County's fundamentals remain among the most stable in Montana; see the city grid above for a side-by-side score comparison of Baker and Plevna.