Preble County, Ohio Eviction Risk: Very Low

Preble County, Ohio scores 2.3/10 on the eviction-risk scale, placing it firmly in the Low risk tier. Among the 88 counties in Ohio, Preble ranks 74th, meaning 73 counties carry higher eviction risk and only 14 are more landlord-friendly. For investors sizing up a rural southwest Ohio market, that standing matters: the county sits in the lower-risk third of the state, with an average rent of $880 and an average rent burden of 24.3%, a figure that suggests most tenants are not stretched to a breaking point each month.

The county's 12 cities spread across a score range of 1.8 to 2.8, a full point of variation that can change the operating calculus depending on exactly where a landlord holds property. The average renter share of 26.5% points to a predominantly owner-occupied market, which typically limits competitive supply pressure but also means a smaller pool of experienced renters in any given neighborhood.

The cities inside Preble County

The highest-risk cities in the county are Camden (2.5/10, population 2,029) and Eaton (2.3/10, population 8,339). Camden is the county seat's neighbor and the single riskiest location in Preble; Eaton is the largest city, and its score reflects the broader economic pressures that come with being the county's commercial hub. West Manchester (2/10), West Alexandria (2.4/10), and Castine (2.2/10) round out the upper tier.

At the other end of the spectrum, Lake Lakengren scores 1.8/10 against a population of 3,445, making it the lowest-risk community in the county by a notable margin. Gratis (2.2/10) and Lewisburg (2.4/10) also sit well below the county average. The takeaway for landlords is that even within a broadly low-risk county, risk is hyper-local: a Camden property and a Lake Lakengren property are separated by a full point on the same scale, which translates directly into different screening standards, lease terms, and reserve requirements.

State-level laws that apply here

Every Preble County landlord operates under Ohio state law, specifically ORC § 5321 (Landlords and Tenants). For nonpayment of rent or a material lease violation, Ohio requires only a 3-day notice to vacate before filing, which is among the shortest cure windows in the country. Month-to-month holdover tenants require a 30-day notice, while end-of-fixed-term tenancies need no additional notice at all. Understanding the full Ohio eviction process, including timelines and court requirements, is essential before a landlord files. Ohio does not require just cause for non-renewal, and state law preempts any local rent control ordinance, so there is no rent cap in Preble County or anywhere else in Ohio.

On the cost side, the Ohio eviction costs landlords typically face include court filing fees of $160 to $250, a sheriff lockout fee of $50 to $175, and attorney fees ranging from $500 to $3,000 depending on complexity. An uncontested case typically resolves in 21 to 45 days; a contested case can run 45 to 120 days. Ohio security deposit limits and retaliation protections under ORC § 5321.02 also apply statewide, and landlords must provide 24 hours notice before entering an occupied unit.

With a poverty rate of 13.2% and roughly 1 in 4 households renting, Preble County's risk profile is real but manageable; the city-by-city grid above is the fastest way to compare specific communities before committing to a purchase or lease-up.