Morton County, North Dakota Eviction Risk: Very Low

Morton County carries an average eviction-risk score of 1.8/10 (Low) across its 4 incorporated cities, placing it third among North Dakota's 53 counties, meaning only 2 counties in the state carry higher risk. That position matters for context: while the county's absolute score is low by any national measure, landlords here operate in a market where conditions tilt modestly less favorable than the majority of the state's counties. Scores across the county's cities range from 1.2 to 1.8, a span that is narrow but still meaningful when you are picking a specific market to add units.

With an average rent of $1,072, a rent-burden rate of 27.7%, a renter share of 30.6% of households, and a poverty rate of 8.3%, the county's fundamentals are solid. Tenants are not severely cost-burdened by national standards, which generally correlates with lower default rates and more stable cash flow for landlords and investors.

The cities inside Morton County

Mandan eviction risk dominates the county's rental market with a population of 24,522 and a risk score of 1.8/10, making it both the largest and highest-risk city in the county. The overwhelming share of the county's renters live in Mandan, so its score effectively sets the county's ceiling. Risk is hyper-local, though: step outside Mandan and conditions shift noticeably.

New Salem scores 1.7/10 (population 780), followed by Flasher at 1.6/10 (population 222). Almont sits at the low end with a score of 1.2/10 and a population of 183, representing the most landlord-favorable operating environment the county offers. The gap between Mandan and Almont, 0.6 points, illustrates that even within a low-risk county, property selection at the city level is worth deliberate attention.

State-level laws that apply here

Under North Dakota state law (N.D.C.C. § 47-16), landlords can serve a 3-day notice for non-payment of rent or a lease violation, and a 30-day notice for end-of-term, no-cause terminations. Those timelines are favorable relative to many states, but they only capture the front end of the process. Understanding the full North Dakota eviction process, including court filing fees ranging from $75 to $150 and sheriff lockout fees from $40 to $125, is essential before acquiring rental property here. Attorney fees for a contested case run $500 to $2,500 under typical North Dakota eviction costs, and uncontested cases resolve in 21 to 40 days while contested matters can stretch to 100 days.

North Dakota has no rent control and does not require just cause for termination, and the state preempts any local effort to impose rent caps. Source-of-income protections are not in force at the state level. Together, these rules put North Dakota in a relatively landlord-friendly statutory posture, which is part of why county scores across the state stay compressed in the lower ranges.

With a poverty rate of 8.3% and renters making up roughly 30.6% of households, Morton County's tenant base is relatively stable, review the city grid above to compare Mandan eviction risk, New Salem, Flasher, and Almont side by side before committing to a specific market.