Johnson County, Nebraska Eviction Risk: Low

Johnson County, Nebraska comes in at 3.7/10 (Low) on the Eviction Risk Map, placing it 14th of 93 Nebraska counties by risk level - firmly in the middle of the state's range. With 13 counties carrying higher risk and 79 sitting lower, Johnson County reflects a stable, rural landlord environment shaped by modest rent burdens, low poverty, and a legal framework that leans toward predictable enforcement timelines. Average rent in the county runs $799 per month, rent burden sits at 24.5% of income, and the poverty rate holds at 8.8% - all figures that track well below statewide stress levels in Nebraska's urban corridors.

The county's six municipalities show a tight score spread between 3.1 and 4, which points to consistent conditions across the area rather than sharp pockets of elevated risk. Tecumseh (population 1,882), the county seat and by far the largest community, carries a score of 4/10 and sets the practical baseline for most landlord activity in the county. Sterling (pop. 717) and Elk Creek (pop. 122) share the county's highest readings at 3.2/10 and 3.4/10 respectively - still within the Low tier, but worth noting for landlords managing units in those towns. At the lower end, Douglas (pop. 269) and Burr (pop. 41) each come in at 3.1/10 and 3.1/10, making them among the county's most straightforward operating environments. Crab Orchard rounds out the list at 3.2/10.

Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1401 et seq.) governs all residential tenancies statewide, including every property in Johnson County. The law requires a 7-day pay-or-quit notice for non-payment of rent, a 14-day cure notice for lease violations, and a 30-day no-cause notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Court filing fees for an eviction action run $85 to $200, sheriff lockout fees range from $40 to $150, and uncontested cases typically conclude within 21 to 45 days from filing. Contested matters can stretch to 100 days. Nebraska requires 24 hours' advance notice before a landlord may enter a unit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1419, and anti-retaliation protections apply under § 76-1439. The state preempts local rent control ordinances, so Johnson County and its towns cannot impose rent caps - a relevant point for landlords evaluating long-term rent-setting flexibility. Source of income is not a protected class under Nebraska fair housing law, meaning Section 8 voucher policies remain at the landlord's discretion. Attorney fees for a contested eviction typically fall between $500 and $2,500 depending on complexity and local counsel availability.

Johnson County's Low risk score of 3.7/10 reflects a rural county where renter demand is modest (37.2% of households rent), incomes are stable relative to local rents, and Nebraska eviction laws's landlord-tenant statute provides clear, short timelines for enforcement. The county's small population of roughly 3,051 residents means the rental market is thin, which cuts both ways - vacancy risk can be meaningful, but tenant protections are also minimal and litigation risk is low.